University
USC Trustee Tapped to Lead NASA
- Charles F. Bolden Jr.
May 29, 2009 7:49 AM
President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate USC trustee Charles F. Bolden Jr. MS ’77, a former combat pilot, Marine Corps major general and veteran space shuttle commander, to serve as the space agency’s next administrator.
In addition to the selection of Bolden as NASA chief, Lori Garver was named to the key NASA role of deputy administrator.
“These talented individuals will help put NASA on course to boldly push the boundaries of science, aeronautics and exploration in the 21st century and ensure the long-term vibrancy of America’s space program,” Obama said.
USC Viterbi School dean Yannis C. Yortsos, who has joined Bolden for a number of alumni and USC events, hailed the news.
“Charlie is an outstanding and inspirational leader,” he said. “The whole school joins me in congratulating him on his great new challenge to restore space as a key part of human endeavor.”
In 2003, Bolden received the Asa V. Call Award, the highest distinction bestowed upon a USC alum, and has served on the USC Board of Trustees since that year. He also received the USC Alumni Award of Merit in 1989.
As part of the “intent to nominate” statement, the White House released a biography of Bolden.
Bolden, who began his service in the Marine Corps in 1968, retired in 2003 as the commanding general of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing after serving more than 34 years. He is currently chief executive officer of Jackandpanther LLC, a privately held military and aerospace consulting firm.
He flew more than 100 sorties in Vietnam from 1972-73. In 1980, he was selected as an astronaut by NASA, flying two space shuttle missions as pilot and two missions as commander. Following the Challenger accident in 1986, Bolden was named chief of the safety division at the Johnson Space Center. He was appointed assistant deputy administrator of NASA headquarters in 1992. He was senior vice president at TechTrans International Inc. from 2003 until 2005.
Bolden holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master of science in systems management from USC.
Bolden, the third African-American to fly in space, met with Obama at the White House on May 26, the day the space telescope was relaunched from the shuttle Atlantis.
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The Wall Street Journal highlighted the $200 million naming gift from USC Trustee and alumnus David Dornsife and wife Dana Dornsife to the USC Dornsife College, and the $110 million gift from USC Trustee and USC Viterbi School alumnus John Mork and wife Julie to create the USC Mork Family Scholars Program.
KPCC-FM reported that this fall USC will offer Persian language courses for the first time. A $250,000 grant from the Farhang Foundation helped to establish the program. Bruce Zuckerman of the USC Dornsife College said he has many students interested in the Persian language, culture and region. “The Iranian region is one that has great impact on our lives today and has had great impact going back into ancient times,” he said. The story noted that USC and the Farhang Foundation hope to raise more money to create an Iranian studies minor. Payvand also featured the new courses.
American Songwriter ran a Q&A with Christopher Sampson of the USC Thornton School about the school’s Popular Music program, which Sampson founded. He noted that the program has been available as a major in Songwriting since 2009, and has incorporated a diverse range of musical genres. “We have now established a consistent track record of students having professional success to know that the program gets results,” Sampson said. He also highlighted the achievements of Songwriting faculty members Lamont Dozier, Andrea Stolpe and David Poe of the Thornton School.
The Economist featured research by Valter Longo of the USC Davis School finding that short periods of fasting could help cancer patients better tolerate chemotherapy, and may even make treatment more effective. The Globe and Mail (Canada) reported that cancerous tumors are essentially energy hogs. “They need to burn lots of energy just to stay alive,” Longo said. The study was also covered by Irish Independent (Ireland), Magyar Tavirati Iroda (Hungary), Anadolu Ajansi (Turkey), Son Haber (Netherlands), Vietnam+ (Vietnam), Turkish Radio and Television (Turkey) and Romania Libera (Romania).
L.A. Weekly featured research by USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies, which has developed video games based around physical movement for people recovering from strokes or other injuries. The games develop strength in specific body parts. Traditional video games weren’t right for these patients, said the institute’s Belinda Lange. “Often, the fun parts of the game would only be unlocked after a series of other levels, which our patients often couldn’t achieve,” she said. The games are now being tested with physical therapists in three major clinics.
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