NOC Presidents Diana Morris Watkins with Congressman Frank Lucas at the NASA Hidden Figures ceremony in Washington, D.C. (photo provided)
NOC president attends NASA ‘Hidden Figures’ ceremony in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Northern Oklahoma College President Diana Morris Watkins attended the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., commemorating the remarkable contributions of NASA’s “Hidden Figures.”
The ceremony celebrated the groundbreaking achievements of women who played critical roles in advancing America’s space exploration efforts.
Prior to the ceremony, Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas (R), Cheyenne, Chair of the Science, Space & Technology Committee, hosted a group for refreshments in the committee hearing room. That group included Oklahoma college presidents and NOC President Emeritus Dr. Cheryl Evans.
“It was an incredible honor to represent Northern Oklahoma College at this event recognizing women’s contributions to NASA,” Watkins said. “A huge thank you to Congressman Lucas, Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and his staff who organized this opportunity for the delegation from Oklahoma.”
The “Hidden Figures” were considered crucial to NASA’s work from 1930-1970. They were mathematicians and engineers who played a role in the earliest American space flights — calculating rocket trajectories and earth orbits and helping to put men on the moon.
Three of the women — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — were honored posthumously. The fourth woman, Christine Darden was honored for her work as an aeronautical engineer.
Families of the four women were presented with the medals. Another medal was symbolically presented to all those whose contributions to NASA went unrecognized during the period.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson said their accomplishments “are all the more impressive” given the challenges they faced because of racism and sexism.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 4,000 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
-30-