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Currently serving as the Administrator of NASA, Charles
Frank Bolden, Jr., also known as General Bolden, is a model example of how high
one can climb with determination and dedication to their work and being a good
leader. A graduate of the
prestigious United States Naval Academy (USNA) with a degree in electrical
science, Bolden understood early in his career that anything worth having in
life is not easy.
Upon his graduation from USNA, Bolden started his military
career in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant. In the Marines, his career took to the
sky, literally. Bolden successfully
became a naval aviator and completed several flight missions over Southeast
Asia.
Though he already received quite an education at USNA and
during his time of service in the military, Bolden returned to school in 1977,
attending the University of Southern California for a Masters of Science in
systems engineering.
In 1981, his career would go to new heights when he became a
NASA astronaut after being selected as an astronaut candidate the year
before. Since then he has spent
about 680 hours in space and has tackled many assignments such as Assistant
Deputy Administrator of NASA Headquarters, Reliability and Quality Assurance
Directorates of the Marshall Space Flight Center and the Kennedy Space Center,
and Lead Astronaut for Vehicle Test and Checkout at the Kennedy Space Center to
name a fraction. Understanding the
importance of giving back, in 1994 Bolden left NASA to be the Deputy
Commandment of Midshipmen at USNA, resuming active duty in the Marines to help
train some of the United States' brightest leaders.
Following his time at USNA as Deputy Commandment of
Midshipmen, he served as Commanding General in multiple military
operations. These operations
combined with his previous achievements and successes, he was promoted to the
rank of Major General in July 1998; a rank well earned.
Leaving a legacy of achievements and leadership behind him
for future generations in the military, Bolden retired from the military in
2004. On July 15, 2009, the United
States Senate confirmed Charles F. Bolden, Jr. as NASA Administrator; position
in which Bolden is the first African American to hold on a permanent basis.
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The mission of NSBE is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
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