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).
Shahd (Alassadi) and Danny Ryan
Shahd (Alassadi) and Danny Ryan first met during the 100th Best Ever St. Pat’s in 2008, but it wasn’t until…
Leslie Bixler and Matt Bubenheim
Leslie Bixler and Matt Bubenheim met in a physics demonstration on the first day of Opening Week in August 2014….
Creating fashion for feet
When Darla Ellis, a 2006 graduate in chemical engineering, began a summer internship with Nike, Inc. during her senior year…
Surveying the future of mining
Karl F. Hasselmann, who graduated in 1925 with a degree in mining engineering, was oil prospecting in Europe when he…
Tabitha (Fiske) and Brian Locke
Tabitha (Fiske) and Brian Locke met in December 2009 when she dropped by a friend’s room to get help with…
Hycintia Subash and Vincent Allen
When Hycintia Subash and Vincent Allen were seated next to each other at an etiquette dinner in March 2014, neither…