Home » Home » Former NASA Astronaut Winston Scott Inspires Florida Tech Class of 2026 at Spring Commencement
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries
Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Winston Scott inspired Florida Tech’s Class of 2026 during the university’s spring commencement ceremonies May 9 at the Clemente Center, where the veteran space shuttle astronaut addressed graduates across three ceremonies throughout the day.
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BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Winston Scott inspired Florida Tech’s Class of 2026 during the university’s spring commencement ceremonies May 9 at the Clemente Center, where the veteran space shuttle astronaut addressed graduates across three ceremonies throughout the day.
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
Scott, who logged nearly 25 days in space during two NASA shuttle missions and completed nearly 20 hours of spacewalks, delivered commencement remarks to students from Florida Tech’s various colleges as approximately 2,000 degrees were expected to be awarded.
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries.
Florida Tech President John Nicklow welcomed Scott, praising his legacy of excellence, innovation and leadership.
“Winston is inspiring and embodies the values of Florida Tech: focused on excellence, leads with integrity and community responsibility, applauds innovation, and supports the next generation of learners,” Nicklow said.
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
The university’s commencement schedule included ceremonies for College of Engineering and Science undergraduates, Bisk College of Business students and graduate students, and graduates from the College of Aeronautics and the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.
Born in Miami, Scott began his distinguished military career in the U.S. Navy in 1972 and became a naval aviator in 1974. Over his career, he accumulated more than 7,000 flight hours in 25 military and civilian aircraft, including the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet.
Selected by NASA in 1992, Scott flew on STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997, contributing to critical satellite retrieval missions and International Space Station assembly preparation. His missions included three spacewalks totaling nearly 20 hours.
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
Following his retirement from NASA and the Navy in 1999, Scott transitioned into higher education and leadership roles, including serving as dean of Florida Tech’s College of Aeronautics and later senior vice president for external relations and economic development.
Scott, who formally retired in 2021 as a Florida Tech professor emeritus, also built an accomplished life beyond aerospace as a martial artist with a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and as an accomplished trumpet player.
His appearance at commencement served as a powerful reminder to graduates of the possibilities that come with discipline, service and innovation as they begin their own journeys.
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)
About 1,100 graduates crossed the stage, representing 73 countries. (FIT Image)