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Col. Gregory H. Johnson (USAF, Ret.) will deliver the keynote address at Michigan Technological University’s Spring Commencement on May 4. Johnson is a former, astronaut, test pilot and combat fighter pilot who served in the Middle East.
Johnson is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, has a Master of Science in Flight Structures Engineering from Columbia University and an MBA from the University of Texas.
In 1998, NASA selected Johnson for astronaut training. In 2006, he was selected to pilot the Space Shuttle Endeavour on a mission to help assemble the International Space Station, launching in March 2008. Three years later, Johnson piloted Endeavour’s final flight to ISS, the second to last Space Shuttle flight ever. He has spent more than 31 days in space, orbited the earth nearly 500 times, and traveled more than 12.5 million miles.
Prior to joining NASA, Johnson had been deployed to Saudi Arabia where he flew 34 combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm. On his second deployment, he flew an additional 27 combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Johnson lives part time in Traverse City, Michigan, where he is an aerospace and youth development consultant for Newton’s Road, a non-profit that works with regional partners to support and increase access to learning opportunities in STEM. He is also the Managing Director of the Traverse City Space Accelerator.
Johnson said he is looking forward to addressing Michigan Tech’s graduates. “I am honored and excited to share in the graduation celebration of Tech’s Class of 2019.” After his visits to the school last year, Johnson said he was extremely impressed with the high quality of curriculum, faculty and students.
Michigan Tech’s Spring Commencement ceremonies will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday May 4, in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in the Student Development Complex.
