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).
First woman department chair
In 1990, Dr. Elizabeth Cummins was named chair of Missouri S&T’s English department. She joined S&T as an instructor in…
Harvest Collier on student success
Harvest Collier, a professor of chemistry, served several years in the early 21st century as vice provost...
From uranium to wine
Richard K. Vitek, a 1958 chemistry graduate, began his career as a research chemist producing uranium from ore, before moving…
Raíssa Sousa and Welenton Webler
Raíssa Sousa and Welenton Webler were both exchange students from Brazil when they met in August 2015. “We didn’t know…
Erin Hayden and Matthew Garger
Although Erin Hayden and Matthew Garger were both students at S&T for an overlapping year, they didn’t meet until the…
Arden Hawley and Alex Richter
Arden Hawley met Alex Richter in August 2015 after her roommate joined KMNR, where he was a DJ. “She introduced…