Tennessee Tech rallies around alumnus, trustee Barry Wilmore following astronaut’s delayed return to Earth
Tennessee Tech alumnus and trustee Barry “Butch” Wilmore dons a Tech jersey and hat
during his stay on the International Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA.
Tennessee Tech University is showing support for one of its own following the news that astronauts on the Boeing Starliner flight crew, including Tech alumnus and trustee
Barry “Butch” Wilmore, will now return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX capsule.
Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams first set out for the International Space
Station in June 2024 on what was originally an eight-day mission. The astronauts’
return date had been in flux, as the Starliner crew spent additional time testing
the new spacecraft. The Starliner will now make reentry to Earth autonomously in September.
Wilmore, a two-time graduate of Tech’s College of Engineering, university trustee
since 2017 and former Golden Eagle football player, has remained in contact with Tech
President Phil Oldham while docked at the International Space Station. Wilmore even
took part in a June 11 video chat with the children of Tech faculty and staff, during which he jokingly declared it
“Tennessee Tech Day” at the ISS.
“Barry Wilmore was born for this moment. His discipline and tenacity are unmatched;
skills forged from his earliest days as a walk-on Tech football player to his noble
service as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and captain. Now the world is getting to see
the Barry that we all know,” said President Oldham. “We continue to stay in contact,
and I know he is in good spirits.”
Oldham continued, “Barry represents the best of our Golden Eagle community and continues
to inspire our students, faculty, alumni and staff as he confronts this latest challenge.
Our pride in Barry is matched only by our wishes for his safe return to Earth. We
look forward to welcoming him back to his alma mater very soon."
Left photo: Tech President Phil Oldham is pictured with Barry Wilmore at the university’s 2017 solar eclipse viewing party. Right photo: Barry Wilmore listens to a presentation at the university’s September 5, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
In addition to his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Tech’s College of Engineering,
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.
Wilmore’s term on the university’s Board of Trustees lasts until 2026.
