Tennessee Tech celebrates safe return of NASA astronaut and university trustee, alumnus Barry Wilmore
Barry “Butch” Wilmore wears a Tennessee Tech hat and jersey during his nine month
stay aboard the International Space Station. Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams
returned to Earth on March 18.
Tennessee Tech University celebrated the return to Earth of its trustee, alumnus and
NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore following a more-than-nine-month stay at the
International Space Station.
Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams first set out for the ISS in June 2024
aboard the Boeing Starliner on what was originally an eight-day mission.
The astronauts’ time in space was extended several times before returning to Earth
aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham remained in contact with Wilmore throughout the
mission and released the below statement following Wilmore’s reentry off the coast
of Florida earlier this afternoon:
The entire Tennessee Tech community celebrates the safe return of our trustee, alumnus,
friend and hero, Barry “Butch” Wilmore.
Over the last nine months, Barry has shown the world the strength and tenacity that
our campus has witnessed up close over many years. His faith sustained him through
unexpected challenges and brought him to this moment. He has made all of us at his
alma mater enormously proud.
With this historic mission, Barry has not only further cemented his place in the history
of Tennessee Tech, but also in the history of spaceflight.
Today, we rejoice with Barry’s family who will soon get their long-awaited reunion
with their husband, father, brother and son – and we look forward to Barry’s return
to this campus in the coming months, where we are already planning ways to honor his
achievement and remind him of all he means to his fellow Golden Eagles.
Wilmore is a two-time graduate of Tech’s College of Engineering and former Golden
Eagle football player who has served on the university’s Board of Trustees since 2017.
Left: Tech President Phil Oldham is pictured with Barry Wilmore at the university’s
2017 solar eclipse viewing party. Right: Barry Wilmore listens to a presentation at
the university’s September 5, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
During his extended stay aboard the ISS, Wilmore participated in two video chats with
the Tech community, one on June 11 with the children of Tech faculty and staff and one on Nov. 5 with current Tech students.
Wilmore received an honorary doctorate from Tech in 2012, received the university’s
Outstanding Alumni Award in 2010 and was inducted into Tech’s Sports Hall of Fame
in 2003. His term on the university’s Board of Trustees lasts until 2026.