
Col. Thomas Akers, Math’73, MS Math’75, has logged more than 800 hours of space flight and 29 hours of space-walking experience. He was selected for NASA’s astronaut program after joining the Air Force and was a mission specialist on four space flights – including on the Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis. Following his career in the Air Force, Akers returned to his alma mater and taught math at S&T for 11 years before retiring in 2010.
Akers earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both in mathematics, from S&T in 1973 and 1975, respectively.
Share This Story
Spark a Memory?
Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).
Serial entrepreneurship
Gary Havener, a 1962 graduate in mathematics, is the founder of several companies, with business dealings including real estate development…
Remembering Bataan
Gene Boyt, who earned a degree in mechanical engineering; Robert Silhavy, ceramic engineering; and John McAnerney, civil engineering, were called…
Madison (Moore) and Scottie Thomas
Madison (Moore) and Scottie Thomas attended the same high school, and even took a French class together, but they didn’t…
Giving others an opportunity
Steven Frey works to ensure others have the opportunity to attend graduate programs at S&T like he did. Frey says…
Sandy (Junge) and Brian Klein
Sandy (Junge) and Brian Klein met in 1990 during lunch in the TJ Hall cafeteria. “Sandy needed a typewriter to…
Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley
Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley met one Friday in September 1977 in TJ Hall. Rosalie’s roommate was a lab partner…