Retired Astronaut Col. Eileen Collins Inspires at Tyler Junior College
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Retired astronaut Col. Eileen Collins graced the stage at Tyler Junior College’s Earth and Space Science Center as the school launched its centennial campaign. Collins shared her unique journey, noting how her education at a community college played a pivotal role in shaping her path to becoming an astronaut.
“Community college was a very influential part of my life,” Collins shared, emphasizing how it allowed her to save money, live at home, and take the time to discover her identity.
From Community College to Space Shuttle Commander
Making history, Collins became the first woman to pilot and later command a space shuttle. After nearly 30 years with NASA, she retired in 2006. She recounted the exhilarating moment of reaching zero gravity during a mission, describing how everything began to float, including her checklist and pencil.
Collins also humorously reflected on her observations of the Earth from space, joking, “And by the way, the earth is round, I discovered…”
Encouraging the Next Generation
In her current role, Collins is dedicated to motivating young people to read. “I encourage young people to read books,” she stated, reinforcing the importance of education.
Collins is in Tyler as part of TJC’s Centennial Campaign, which aims to support students. She will return on Thursday for Founders Day to celebrate the college’s 100th anniversary and engage directly with students and staff.
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