Astronaut Feustel to receive honorary degree, speak live from International Space Station during Purdue commencement

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — At its spring commencement ceremonies, Purdue University will award an honorary doctorate to NASA astronaut and alumnus Andrew J. “Drew” Feustel, who is stationed aboard the International Space Station.

Feustel, a Purdue College of Science graduate (BS ’89, MS ’91), will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree via a live link to the ISS during the 7:20 p.m. Friday, May 11, ceremony in the Elliott Hall of Music on Purdue’s campus.

During the ceremony, Feustel will also give remarks, which are scheduled to begin at 7:56 p.m.

Ordinarily, a Purdue dean places the ceremonial hood on honorary degree recipients, but for obvious logistical reasons, an exception has been made in this case. Fellow Boilermaker and NASA astronaut Scott Tingle, who is also stationed on the ISS, will stand in and place the hood on Feustel.

NASA will air a portion of the commencement ceremony, including remarks by President Mitch Daniels and the honorary degree conferral, live on NASA TV in a broadcast beginning at approximately 7:35 p.m. at www.nasa.gov/live. All of Purdue’s six commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed in their entirety at http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/3d86e.

A news release with more details can be found here.

Journalists wishing to attend must request credentials at least three (3) days in advance. To obtain credentials, please send a request on your news organization’s letterhead via email to Jim Bush, jsbush@purdue.edu, or Tim Doty, Purdue News Service, doty2@purdue.edu. A maximum of two (2) credentials will be issued to each organization. An audio and video pool feed will be available.

What: Presentation of honorary degree to NASA astronaut and Purdue alumnus Drew Feustel

Where: Elliott Hall of Music

When: 7:20 p.m., Friday, May 11

Speakers: Purdue President Mitch Daniels and Andrew J. “Drew” Feustel

Media Contacts: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu

Tim Doty, 765-496-2571, doty2@purdue.edu