![\"Ronald](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/community-empowerment-institutional-inclusivity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/680\/2023\/12\/ronald-mcnair.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRonald Ervin McNair<\/strong>, the second African American person to fly in space, was born Oct. 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. In 1971, he received a bachelor\u2019s degree in physics, magna cum laude, from North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro). In 1976, he received his PhD in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics, McNair received three honorary doctorates and a score of fellowships and commendations. He achieved a black belt in karate and was an accomplished saxophonist. In 1978, McNair was one of 35 people\u2014among some 10,000 applicants\u2014chosen for NASA\u2019s astronaut training program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ronald McNair died on Jan. 28, 1986, in a fiery explosion nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean, along with six other crew members aboard the space shuttle Challenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program was initiated by the U.S. Department of Education in 1989. Authorized under the Federal TRIO Programs, the program has grown nationally, currently serving thousands of students. 51ÁÔÆæ was one of the first 14 universities in the country to receive funding for this program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, please see the U.S. Department of Education McNair program description<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nProgram Beginnings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n