Astronaut alumnus donates award to Sagamore Restaurant

Purdue alumnus and astronaut Jerry Ross has donated his Sagamore of the Wabash award to the University for display in the Sagamore Room in Purdue Memorial Union. (Photo provided) Download Photo

Jerry Ross, the Purdue alumnus who holds the record for most flights into space, has donated his Sagamore of the Wabash award to the University for display in the Sagamore Room in Purdue Memorial Union.

Ross, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, was an Air Force ROTC student at Purdue who received his undergraduate degree in 1970 and master's degree in mechanical engineering in 1972 from the University. He worked as an astronaut for NASA from 1980 until his retirement in 2012. Ross broke the world record for being the first human launched into space seven times, and is one of only three astronauts to serve throughout the entire space shuttle program.

The Sagamore of the Wabash is the highest award that the governor of Indiana presents and is a personal honor given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. The award was created during Gov. Ralph Gates' term from 1945 to 1949, and Gates' successors have been presenting the award in their own ways since. Among those who have received Sagamores of the Wabash are astronauts, presidents, artists, ambassadors, politicians, musicians and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to the Hoosier legacy.

Ross decided to donate his award after a recent visit to campus. "The last time I was there [the Sagamore Room] I was looking around at the other Sagamore of the Wabash awards displayed on the walls of the room and decided it would be neat to send one of mine to be added to the collection," Ross says.

Ross's award joins the collection hanging in the Sagamore Room along with Glenn Jenkins (dean of pharmacy, 1941-1966), Jack Smalley (vice president of housing and food services, 1946-1983), and R.O. Cole (School of Agriculture graduate and author). Ross's donation is a testament to his pride of being a Boilermaker and his fondness of the University.

"I am a Boilermaker and enjoy every aspect of the school, the students, the staff, and the administration, and always look forward to each opportunity to return to the campus. The Sagamore Room is a great place to meet people when I come back to campus and to enjoy wonderful meals," Ross says. "The award is currently hanging in the Sagamore Room for all to see."

Eric Coates, operations manager for the Sagamore Restaurant, says he was thrilled to display the award of an esteemed alumnus. "Jerry Ross came in for breakfast one morning with his wife. When he was getting ready to leave he noticed the awards on the wall and said 'I have a few of those -- would you like to have one?' and of course I said yes," Coates says.

Writer: Sheila Swibes, swibes@purdue.edu