UCSC Alumna Kathryn Sullivan Enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame
Kathryn Sullivan speaks at the National Aviation Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony.
Kathryn Sullivan (Cowell ’73, Earth Sciences) is a distinguished scientist and explorer, who has quite literally gone to the highest of heights and the lowest of lows of any human. She was the first American woman to walk in space and the first woman to reach the deepest point of the ocean floor. She's also still the one and only individual to have achieved both milestones. These feats barely scratch the surface of her significant contributions to space, ocean, and Earth exploration.
(April 25, 1990) STS-31 Mission Specialist Kathryn D. Sullivan poses for a picture before donning her space suit and extravehicular mobility unit in the airlock of Discovery. Onboard the April 25, 1990 shuttle mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope, Sullivan remained ready to do a spacewalk in case there were problems putting the orbital observatory into space. The deployment went smoothly, and no spacewalk was necessary...Image # : s31-11-033
Sullivan's career accomplishments include serving as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) during the Obama administration, and Former President and CEO of Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry. She also boasts experience from three shuttle missions, including one with the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope.
As a result of her significant achievements, Sullivan was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Washington, DC on September 22, 2023, The Hall of Fame, founded in 1964 in Ohio, the home of aviation, serves as a museum, a learning and research center, and an annual award ceremony to honor individuals who have made remarkable contributions to air and space. Tom Lodge, NAHF Board of Nominations Chair, expressed anticipation for the 2023 class's induction, recognizing Sullivan's extensive contributions.
Sullivan's journey began at UC Santa Cruz, where she shifted her undergraduate focus from foreign languages to Earth and planetary sciences after an interaction with Professor Gary Griggs ignited her interest in oceanography. Sullivan aims to continue to provide valuable opportunities for current students at UCSC through a planned donation. This donation will enhance an existing student award fund she has established and will also support the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.