News: Astronaut to visit Hershey Park

Posted at 3:35 PM EST (2035 GMT)

Mar. 29th, 2005 -- HERSHEY, PA--  Dr. Guy Bluford, the first African American to fly in space, will visit Hersheypark on May 26. His appearance enhances the Hersheypark Educational Program Series, which include Math Day on May 6, Physics Day on May 12, and Science Day on May 19.

Dr. Bluford was aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983 and has continued to distinguish himself with numerous honors and service medals; he was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1997. Dr. Bluford will offer presentations to Park guests at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m.

A NASA mission specialist and payload commander on four Space Shuttle missions, Dr. Bluford has logged more than 688 hours in space.
 
A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Dr. Bluford received Masters ofScience and Ph.D degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. In addition, he has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Houston in Clear Lake, TX and has attended the Warton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Currently Dr. Bluford serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Science and Engineering Group, Aerospace Sector of Federal Data Corporation in Maryland.

Hersheypark is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 26. For group ticket information please call 1-800-242-4236. For more information about Dr. Bluford or Hersheypark, please call 1-800-HERSHEY or visit the website at www.HersheyPA.com.  

Via Press Release