Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Curtis Brown Laura Cutchens July 24, 2017 Chairman Execu�ve Vice President External Affairs Lisa Schott Vice Chairman Astronaut Scholarship Founda�on Michael Neukamm Office: 407-403-5907 Secretary Vincent Cimino Cell: 407-474-3196 Treasurer [email protected] Kevin Chilton Tammy Sudler President & CEO James Lovell Chairman Emeritus Astronaut Mike Collins to Give Keynote Address at the Innovators Gala Scott Altman Apollo 11 astronaut to remember Neil Armstrong and John Blaha welcome 2017-2018 Astronaut Scholar Class Larry Bradley Daniel Brandenstein Richard Covey Charles Duke Apollo 11 command module pilot, astronaut Mike Collins, will be the keynote Chris Ferguson Orlando, FL – Fred Gregory speaker at the Innovators Gala to be held September 16, 2017 at the JW Marrio� in Washington, Joseph Han Jeffrey Hoffman D.C. Collins will headline the event introducing the 45 members of the 2017-2018 Astronaut Scholar Charles Precourt class and the first recipient of the Neil ArmstrongTM Award of Excellence. Brewster Shaw Kathryn Thornton Al Worden A�endees at the Innovators Gala will have the unique opportunity of hearing from Collins, who BOARD OF TRUSTEES served as pilot for the Gemini X mission in 1966 and command module pilot for Apollo 11 in 1969. Laura Shepard-Churchley Chairman Andrew Allen The event is highlighted by the presenta�on of the 45 members of the 2017-2018 Astronaut Scholar Rick Armstrong class who represent the best and brightest of college students pursuing science, technology, Ann Brown Ed Buckbee engineering and math. In addi�on, the inaugural Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence will be Patricia Carpenter presented to Astronaut Scholar, Patrick Biltgen. Suzi Cooper Richard Garriott Robert “Hoot” Gibson Rebecca Griffin “I am pleased to have this opportunity to honor the legacy of my dear friend Neil Armstrong,” Seth Jonas Collins said. “I am only sorry that Neil is not here to honor Patrick directly, as the two of them, I am Jarret Lafleur James Long sure, would enjoy knowing each other." James Mault Joseph Mayer Lawrence McGlynn The Astronaut Scholarship Founda�on (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organiza�on established by the Harvey Miller Mercury Astronauts in 1984. The Founda�on's mission is to aid the United States in retaining its Dirk Raemdonck Thomas Stafford world leadership in technology and innova�on by suppor�ng the very best and brightest scholars in Carol Fitzgerald Tyler science, technology, engineering, and mathema�cs while commemora�ng the legacy of America’s HONORARY TRUSTEES pioneering astronauts. LeVar Burton Tom Hanks Henri Landwirth ASF awards 45, $10,000 scholarships to outstanding college juniors and seniors na�onwide with support from astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shu�le and Space Sta�on Founder programs who par�cipate in this educa�onal endeavor. Astronaut Scholar ### EDUCATION IS THE CORNERSTONE OF KNOWLEDGE 651 Danville Drive, Suite 101 | Orlando, FL 32825 | 407-362-7900 [email protected] | www.astronautscholarship.org.