The University College Day (UCD) committee is excited to welcome Captain Chris Cassidy to campus as the UCD keynote speaker. The keynote will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m., in Martin University Center - Andrews Hall. RSVPs are not required, and entrance is free and open to all Texas Wesleyan students, faculty, and staff.

Captain Christopher J. Cassidy is a graduate of York High School. Chris completed Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, Rhode lsland in 1989 and received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1993. He later received a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from the Massachusetts lnstitute of Technology and has Honorary PhDs from Husson University and the University of Maine at Augusta.

Captain Cassidy is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL. During his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star with combat 'V' and received a second Bronze Star for combat leadership service in Afghanistan. In 2004, the platoon he commanded was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Captain Cassidy was selected as an astronaut in 2004. He is a veteran of three space flights and ten space walks. Chris has flown to the lnternational Space Station (ISS) aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He has accumulated 377 days in space to include his most recent six-month spaceflight in 2020.

In 2015, he became NASA's 14th Chief Astronaut and served in this capacity for two years. In August 2021, the Board of Directors for the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation selected Chris Cassidy to be President and CEO, where he now leads the project to build the iconic Museum, Monument, and Institute. Captain Cassidy and his team are on a mission to inspire America, promoting the belief that everyone is born with the potential to be extraordinary.

To see more information about the National Medal of Honor Museum visit the link below. www.mohmuseum.org

Watch the Keynote Speaker Live