Editing Ronald McNair

{{short description|American astronaut and physicist (1950–1986)}}
{{Use American English|date = February 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{For|the Arkansas politician|Ron McNair (politician)}}
{{Infobox astronaut
|name          = Ronald  McNair
|image         = Ronald McNair (S78-35300).jpg
|caption       = McNair in 1978
|birth_name    = Ronald Erwin McNair
|birth_date    = {{birth date|1950|10|21}}
|birth_place   = [[Lake City, South Carolina]], U.S.
|death_date    = {{death date and age|1986|1|28|1950|10|21}}
|death_place   = North Atlantic Ocean
|death_cause   = [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]]
|awards        = [[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]]
|education     = [[North Carolina A&T State University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] ([[Master of Science|MS]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
|type          = [[NASA astronaut]]
|time          = 7d 23h 15m
|selection     = [[NASA Astronaut Group 8|NASA Group 8 (1978)]]
|missions      = [[STS-41-B]]<br>[[STS-51-L]]
|insignia      = [[File:Sts-41-b-patch.png|45px]] [[File:STS-51-L-patch-small.png|40px]]
|module            = {{Infobox scientist
|embed             = yes
|thesis_title      = Energy Absorption and Vibrational Heating in Molecules Following Intense Laser Excitation
|thesis_url        = https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/95531
|thesis_year       = 1977
|doctoral_advisor  = [[Michael Stephen Feld]]}}
}}
'''Ronald Erwin McNair''' (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was an American [[NASA astronaut]] and [[physicist]]. He [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|died]] at the age of 35 during the launch of the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] on mission [[STS-51-L]], in which he was serving as one of three [[mission specialists]] in a crew of seven.

Prior to the ''Challenger'' disaster, McNair flew as a mission specialist on [[STS-41-B]] aboard ''Challenger'' from February 3 to 11, 1984, becoming the second black American in space.

== Background ==
Ronald Erwin McNair was born in [[Lake City, South Carolina]], on October 21, 1950,<ref name="NASA">{{cite web |title=Biographical Data: Ronald E. McNair (Ph.D.) NASA astronaut (deceased) |url=https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mcnair_ronald.pdf |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=June 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Ronald Erwin McNair, Ph.D. |url=https://www.csusm.edu/mcnair/namesake/index.html |website=[[California State University San Marcos]] |access-date=June 23, 2024}}</ref> to Carl C. McNair, an [[Auto body technician|auto repairman]], and his wife, a high school teacher named Pearl.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronald E. McNair Program: Ronald E. McNair, Ph.D. |url=https://mcnair.unl.edu/mcnair |website=[[University of Nebraska-Lincoln]] |access-date=June 23, 2024}}</ref> Growing up alongside his older brother, Carl S.,{{sfn|McNair|Brewer|2005|p=8}} as well as his younger brother, Eric,{{sfn|McNair|Brewer|2005|p=15}} McNair grew up in a low-income household, his home having lacked both [[electricity]] and [[Tap water|running water]].<ref name="Olivares">{{cite news |last1=Olivares |first1=Beth |title=A call to aim high: African-American astronaut inspires student liftoff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/149892667/ |access-date=June 23, 2024 |work=[[Democrat and Chronicle]] |agency=[[University of Rochester]] |date=January 28, 1996 |page=17}}</ref> The family later moved into a better, though still poor-quality household following the death of McNair's grandfather. His older brother, writing in a posthumous biography about McNair, described how the family "covered the floor and furniture with pots and pans to catch the water dripping through the roof" when it rained.{{sfn|McNair|Brewer|2005|p=8}}

In the summer of 1959, McNair refused to leave the segregated Lake City Public Library without being allowed to check out his books. After the police and his mother were called, McNair was allowed to borrow books from the library; the building that housed the library at the time is now named after him.<ref name= "npr.org">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/01/28/133275198/astronauts-brother-recalls-a-man-who-dreamed-big|title=Astronaut's Brother Recalls A Man Who Dreamed Big|publisher=[[NPR]] |date=January 28, 2011 |access-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref> A children's book, ''Ron's Big Mission'', offers a fictionalized account of this event.

McNair attended Lake City Elementary School<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Michael |title=Space Comes A Little Closer To Lake City Elementary |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state/157175309/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]] |date=February 4, 1984 |page=13}}</ref> and Carver High School, where he graduated as [[valedictorian]] in 1967.<ref name= Smith2011>{{cite news|author=Smith, Bruce |title=Small SC town pauses to remember astronaut son |url= https://www.baystatebanner.com/2011/02/01/small-sc-town-pauses-to-remember-astronaut-son/ |date=February 11, 2011|publisher=Bay State Banner|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>

In 1971, McNair received a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[engineering physics]], [[magna cum laude]], from the [[North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]].<ref name="NASA Bio">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/mcnair_ronald.pdf |title=Ronald E. McNair (Ph.D.), NASA Astronaut (Deceased) |location=Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center|website= NASA.gov |date=December 2003 |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> At North Carolina A&T, he studied under professor [[Donald Anderson Edwards|Donald Edwards]], who had established the physics curriculum at the university.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feinsilver |first=Ethan |date=January 28, 1999 |title=Speakers Link Ronald McNair to Today's A&T: An Annual Tribute to the Late Challenger Astronaut Seeks to Inspire Students at His Alma Mater |url=https://greensboro.com/speakers-link-ronald-mcnair-to-todays-a-t-an-annual-tribute-to-the-late-challenger/article_d5919fc0-9c92-5912-9693-057f759d38d3.html |access-date=August 18, 2022 |work=[[News & Record|Greensboro News & Record]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 1976, McNair received a [[PhD]] degree in [[physics]] from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] under the guidance of [[Michael Stephen Feld|Michael Feld]], becoming nationally recognized for his work in the field of [[laser physics]]. That same year, McNair won the AAU Karate gold medal. He would subsequently win five regional championships and earn a fifth-degree black belt in karate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronald McNair Biography |url= https://www.biography.com/astronaut/ronald-mcnair |date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2021}}</ref>

McNair received four [[honorary doctorate]]s, as well as a score of [[fellow]]ships and commendations. He became a staff physicist at the [[Hughes Research Laboratories|Hughes Research Lab]] in [[Malibu, California]]. McNair was also a member of the [[Omega Psi Phi]] [[Fraternity]].<ref name="NASA Bio" />

McNair was a member of the [[Bahá'í Faith]], which emphasizes the unity of humanity and harmony between science and religion. He first encountered the religion in Lake City, South Carolina, in the 1960s and remained a lifelong adherent. McNair even carried a book of Bahá’í prayers with him on the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]] mission, reflecting his commitment to the faith.<ref>{{cite web |title=30 Facts About Challenger Astronaut, Ronald McNair |url=https://historycollection.com/30-facts-about-challenger-astronaut-ronald-mcnair/19/ |date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=December 1, 2024}}</ref>

==Astronaut career==
[[File:Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Fred Gregory (S79-36529, restoration).jpg|thumb|First three African-American astronauts to go to space, including McNair, [[Guy Bluford]] and [[Frederick D. Gregory|Fred Gregory]] from the class of 1978 selection of astronauts]] 
In 1978, McNair was selected as one of 35 applicants from a pool of 10,000 for the NASA astronaut program. He was one of several astronauts recruited by [[Nichelle Nichols]] as part of a NASA effort to increase the number of minority and female astronauts.<ref>{{cite web  |title=Space History Photo: Nichelle Nichols, NASA Recruiter |url=https://www.space.com/24147-nichelle-nichols-nasa-recruiter.html |date=January 3, 2014 |website=[[Space.com]] |access-date=July 21, 2022}}</ref> McNair flew as a mission specialist on STS-41-B aboard ''Challenger'' from February 3 to 11, 1984, becoming the second African American to fly in space.

[[File: Astronaut candidates Ronald McNair, Guion Bluford, and Frederick Gregory.jpg|thumb|left|Astronaut candidates Ron McNair, [[Guy Bluford]], and [[Frederick D. Gregory|Fred Gregory]] wearing Apollo spacesuits, May 1978]]

===''Challenger'' disaster===
{{main|Space Shuttle Challenger disaster}}
[[File:Challenger flight 51-l crew.jpg|thumb|''[[STS-51-L|Challenger]]'' crew: (front row) [[Michael J. Smith (astronaut)|Michael J. Smith]], [[Dick Scobee]], Ronald McNair; (back row) [[Ellison Onizuka]], [[Christa McAuliffe]], [[Gregory Jarvis]], [[Judith Resnik]]]]

Following the STS-41-B mission, McNair was selected for STS-51-L as one of three mission specialists in a crew of seven. The mission launched on January 28, 1986. He and the other six crew members were killed when ''Challenger'' [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|disintegrated]] nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean, 73 seconds after liftoff.<ref name="NASA Bio"/>

McNair was initially buried at Rest Lawn Memorial Park in Lake City, South Carolina. His remains were disinterred in 2004 and moved to Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park, located elsewhere in Lake City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ronald E. McNair |url=https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/ronald-e-mcnair |website=discoversouthcarolina.com |publisher=SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Music in space==
{{main|Music in space}}
McNair was an accomplished [[saxophone|saxophonist]] and [[jazz]] enthusiast.

Before his last fateful space mission, McNair worked with French composer and performer [[Jean-Michel Jarre]] on a piece of music for Jarre's then-upcoming album [[Rendez-Vous (Jean Michel Jarre album)|''Rendez-Vous'']]. It was intended that McNair would record his saxophone solo on board the ''Challenger'', which would have made McNair's solo the first original piece of music to have been recorded in space<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.synt.nu/history/|title=The history of synthpop|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310074252/http://www.synt.nu/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> (although the song "[[Jingle Bells]]" had been played on a [[harmonica]] during an earlier [[Gemini 6]] spaceflight). However, the recording was never made, as the flight [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|ended in the disaster]] and the deaths of its entire crew. The final track on ''Rendez-Vous'', "Last Rendez-Vous," has the subtitle "Ron's Piece," and the liner notes include a dedication from Jarre: "Ron was so excited about the piece that he rehearsed it continuously until the last moment. May the memory of my friend the astronaut and the artist Ron McNair live on through this piece."<ref>{{cite magazine | author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | title=Challenger 25th Anniversary Tribute Song | url=http://btw2worlds.com/challenger-tribute-song-25th-anniversary/ | magazine=Between Two Worlds | date=January 28, 2011 | access-date=June 19, 2020}}</ref> McNair was supposed to have taken part in Jarre's ''[[Rendez-vous Houston]]'' concert through a live feed from the orbiting Shuttlecraft.

==Public honors==
[[File:McNair statue.jpg|thumb|right|Dr. Ronald E. McNair memorial in his hometown, [[Lake City, South Carolina]]]]
[[File:McNairTomb.jpg|thumb|right|Dr. Ronald E. McNair tomb in his hometown, [[Lake City, South Carolina]]]]
[[File:Ron McNair memorial jeh.JPG|thumb|Ronald McNair Park in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]]]]
[[File:SouthCentralPoliceStationRonaldMcNairHoustonTX.JPG|thumb|Ronald E. McNair South Central Police Station of the [[Houston Police Department]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]]]

McNair was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2004, along with all crew members lost in the ''Challenger'' and ''Columbia'' disasters.

A variety of public places, people and programs have been renamed in honor of McNair:
* The crater [[McNair (crater)|McNair]] on the [[Moon]] is named in his honor.
* The McNair Building (a.k.a. Building 37) at MIT, his alma mater, houses the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.
* The McNair Science Center at [[Francis Marion University]] in [[Florence, South Carolina]]
* The McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research at the [[University of South Carolina]] is named in his honor.
* The McNair Park & Recreation Center in [[Pompano Beach, Florida]] is named in his honor.
* Ronald McNair Boulevard in [[Lake City, South Carolina]] is named in his honor and lies near other streets named for astronauts who perished in the ''Challenger'' crash.
* The Quailbrook East development in [[Somerset, New Jersey]] has streets named after the Challenger and each of the seven astronauts.<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9621703335377368297|title=McNair Ct, Franklin Township, NJ 08873 |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref>
* The [[U.S. Department of Education]] offers the TRIO [[Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program]] for students with low-income, first-generation students, and/or underrepresented students in graduate education for doctorate education.
* On January 29, 2011, the Lake City, South Carolina library was dedicated as the Ronald McNair Life History Center.<ref name=Smith2011 /> When Ronald McNair was nine, the police and his mother were called because he wished to check out books from this library, which served only white patrons before he arrived. He said, "I'll wait," to the lady and sat on the counter until the police and his mother arrived, and the officer said, "Why don't you just give him the books?" which the lady behind the counter reluctantly did. He said, "Thank you, ma'am," as he got the books.<ref name="npr.org" /> The episode, as recalled by his brother Carl McNair, has been depicted in a short animated film.<ref>{{cite web | last= Popova | first= Maria | url= https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/06/06/ronald-mcnair-storycorps-callings/?mc_cid=e5ab79fdbf&mc_eid=bd698ce8ad | title= Eyes on the Stars: Astronaut Ronald McNair, Who Perished in the Challenger Disaster, Remembered by His Brother in an Affectionate Animated Short Film| website= brainpickings.org| publisher= | date=June 6, 2016| accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Eyes on the Stars|url=https://storycorps.org/animation/eyes-on-the-stars/|access-date= February 22, 2021|date=January 28, 2013|publisher=[[StoryCorps]] | website= storycorps.org |language= en-US|quote=On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African-American person to enter space. But first, he was a kid with big dreams in Lake City, South Carolina.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1= Rauch| first1= Mike| title= Eyes on the Stars| date=April 4, 2013| url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2251307/|type=Documentary, Animation, Short, Biography, Drama, Family| website= imdb.com| access-date=February 22, 2021| last2= Rauch| first2=Tim}}</ref>

* Numerous K–12 schools have also been named after McNair.
** McNair Elementary School in [[Compton, California]]
** Los Robles Ronald McNair Academy<ref>{{cite web | url= http://losrobles.ravenswoodschools.org/ | title= Los Robles Ronald McNair Academy |website= ravenswoodschools.org| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090901135545/http://www.ravenswood.k12.ca.us/schools/ronald-mcnair-academy/ |archivedate= September 1, 2009| accessdate= January 28, 2011}}</ref> in [[East Palo Alto]], [[California]]
** Ronald McNair Elementary School in [[Germantown, Maryland]]
** Ronald E. McNair Elementary School in [[Hazelwood, Missouri|Hazelwood]], Missouri<ref>{{cite web |website= hazelwoodschools.org |url= http://www.hazelwoodschools.org/schoolsandprograms/elementary/mcnairelementary/pages/default.aspx |title= McNair Elementary School |access-date=April 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014729/http://www.hazelwoodschools.org/schoolsandprograms/elementary/mcnairelementary/pages/default.aspx |archive-date=April 19, 2014 }}</ref>
** PS 5, Dr. Ronald McNair School in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
** PS/MS 147 Ronald McNair in [[Cambria Heights]] [[Queens]], New York City, New York
** Ronald McNair Elementary School in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
** Ronald E. McNair Elementary School in [[Dallas]], Texas ([[Dallas Independent School District|Dallas ISD]])
** Ronald Ervin McNair Elementary School in [[Denton, Texas|Denton]], [[Texas]] ([[Denton Independent School District|Denton ISD]])
** Ronald McNair Middle School in [[Rockledge, Florida]]
** Ronald McNair Middle School in DeKalb County, Georgia, near Decatur<!--The school is NOT in the Decatur city limits despite the Decatur, GA name-->
** Ronald McNair Middle School in [[College Park, Georgia|College Park]], Georgia
** Ronald McNair Middle School, formerly the Andrew Jackson Intermediate School, in [[Detroit, Michigan]]
**Ronald E. McNair Middle School in [[Lake City, South Carolina]], was renamed from Carver High School in his honor (he was a high school graduate of the facility).
** Ronald E. McNair Middle School, San Antonio, Texas – [[Southwest ISD]]
** Ronald E. McNair Junior High School in [[Huntsville, Alabama]]<ref>{{cite news |first=Shevaun |last=Bryan |publisher=[[WHNT-TV]] |location=[[Huntsville, Alabama]] |title=New school, old building: first day of school at McNair Junior High |url= http://whnt.com/2014/08/05/new-school-old-building-first-day-of-school-at-mcnair-junior-high/ |date= August 5, 2014 |access-date= September 7, 2014}}</ref>
** Dr. Ronald McNair Junior High School in [[Pearland, Texas|Pearland]], Texas ([[Alvin Independent School District]]), is named in honor Dr. McNair.<ref>{{cite web| website= alvinisd.net| url= http://www.alvinisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=5716&ViewID=7B97F7ED-8E5E-4120-848F-A8B4987D588F&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=38304&PageID=5189 | title= Alvin ISD Board Members Approve New Facility Name| publisher= Alvin Independent School District| first=| last= |date= | accessdate=}}</ref>
** [[Ronald E. McNair High School (California)|Ronald E. McNair High School]] in [[Stockton, California]]
** [[McNair High School (Georgia)|Dr. Ronald E. McNair High School]] in [[DeKalb County, Georgia]], near [[Decatur, Georgia|Decatur]]<!--The school is NOT in the Decatur city limits despite the Decatur, GA name-->
** [[Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School]] in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], [[New Jersey]]<ref>Hague, Jim. "In a Class By Itself". ''Jersey City Magazine'', Spring & Summer 2011, p. 55.</ref>
** Ronald E. McNair Academic Center in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]
** Ronald E. McNair Building: Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans, [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]
** Ronald E. McNair Building: KIPP Believe College Prep, New Orleans, Louisiana
** Ronald E. McNair Administrative Center in [[University City, Missouri]]

*Ronald E. McNair Prince Hall Masonic Lodge No. 146 is named in his honor in [[Suitland, Maryland|Suitland]], Maryland<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mwphglmd.org/Fourth-Masonic-District.html|title=Fourth-Masonic-District|website= mwphglmd.org |access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170118140544/http://www.mwphglmd.org/Fourth-Masonic-District.html|archive-date= January 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* A building on the [[Willowridge High School (Houston)|Willowridge High School]] campus in [[Houston]], Texas, is named in honor of McNair.
* McNair Memorial Park in [[El Lago, Texas]], is named in his honor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ellago-tx.gov/misc/park-pics.html |title=City of El Lago Park Information | website= ellago-tx.gov |access-date= September 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140318122615/http://www.ellago-tx.gov/misc/park-pics.html |archive-date=March 18, 2014 }}, last accessed September 16, 2013.</ref>
* In his honor, there is a memorial in Ronald McNair Park in Brooklyn, New York.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/crownheights/mcnairpark/index.htm| title=Dr. Ronald E. McNair Park, Crown Heights, Brooklyn| website= bridgeandtunnelclub.com| publisher=| access-date=February 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=12489 |title=Historical Sign Listings : NYC Parks |publisher= | website= nycgovparks.org |access-date=May 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Walsh| first= Kevin | title= Dr. Ronald E. McNair Park, Prospect Heights| website= Forgotten-NY.com | date= January 28, 2018 | url= http://forgotten-ny.com/2018/01/dr-ronald-e-mcnair-park-prospect-heights/ | publisher= | accessdate=}}</ref>
* The Dr. Ronald E. McNair Playground in [[East Harlem]], [[Manhattan]], New York City, New York, is named after him.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/M285/ |access-date=November 23, 2012 |title= Dr. Ronald McNair Playground |website= nycgovparks.org}}</ref>
* The Ronald E. McNair Space Theater inside the Davis Planetarium in downtown [[Jackson, Mississippi]], is named in his honor.
* The McNair Open Access Computer Lab at [[California State University, Bakersfield]]
* The Naval [[ROTC]] building on the campus of [[Southern University and A&M College]] in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]], Louisiana, is named in his honor.[[File:McNair Hall View 2012f.jpg|thumb|183x183px|Ronald E. McNair Hall, on the campus of [[North Carolina A&T State University]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]] ]]
* The Engineering building at [[North Carolina A&T State University]] in Greensboro, North Carolina, is named in his honor. The university holds a McNair Day celebration annually.<ref>{{cite press release |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Annual Celebration of Ronald McNair by N.C. A&T to be Held Jan. 28 |first1=Tonya |last1=Dixon |publisher=North Carolina A&T State University |url= https://www.ncat.edu/news/2020/01/ronald-mcnair-celebration.php |access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref>
* McNair was portrayed by [[Joe Morton]] in the 1990 TV movie ''[[Challenger (1990 film)|Challenger]]''.
* The song "A Drop Of Water", recorded by Japanese jazz artist [[Keiko Matsui]], with vocals by the late [[Carl Anderson (singer)|Carl Anderson]], was written in tribute to McNair.
* The [[Jean Michel Jarre]] track "Last Rendez-Vous" was re-titled "Ron's Piece" in his honor. McNair was originally due to record the track in space aboard ''Challenger,'' and then perform it via a live link up in Jarre's [[Rendez-vous Houston]] concert.
* The federally-funded McNair Scholars/Achievement Programs award research money and internships to juniors and seniors who are first-generation and low-income, or members of underrepresented groups, in preparation for graduate study. 187 institutions participate (as of 2020).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mcnairscholars.com/about/ |title=TRIO – Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program – About| website= mcnairscholars.com |publisher= [[University of Central Florida]] |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/programs/triomcnair/index.html|title=TRIO – Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program|publisher= U.S. Department of Education| website= ed.gov |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> [[Michigan State University]], [[Washington State University]], and [[Syracuse University]] are three examples of these programs and both offer Summer Research Opportunity Program as additional program components.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mcnair.wsu.edu/services/ |title=The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program – Program Services |publisher= Washington State University| website= mcnair.wsu.edu |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
McNair was married to Cheryl McNair, and they had two children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wife of astronaut Ron McNair reflects on Challenger disaster |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wife-of-astronaut-ron-mcnair-reflects-on-challenger-disaster/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=January 28, 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref> Cheryl is a founding director of the Challenger Center, which focuses on space science education.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cheryl McNair |url=https://www.challenger.org/team_members/cheryl-mcnair/|access-date=August 20, 2023|publisher=Challenger Center for Space Science Education|date=2019}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Space|Biography}}
* [[List of African-American astronauts]]
* [[Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program]]
* ''[[Rendez-vous Houston]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
*{{cite book |last1=McNair |first1=Carl S. |last2=Brewer |first2=H. Michael |title=In the spirit of Ronald E. McNair, astronaut: an American hero |date=2005 |publisher=Publishing Associates |location=Atlanta, GA |isbn=9780942683202 |url=https://archive.org/details/inspiritofronald0000mcna/mode/2up}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060204205122/http://ronaldmcnair.org/ McNair Foundation to encourage and mentor science, mathematics and technology students]
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/mcnair_ronald.htm Spacefacts biography of Ronald McNair]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060908044613/http://www.ncat.edu/~remcnair/homepage.htm Ronald E. McNair Post – Baccalaureate Achievement Program]

{{Congressional Space Medal of Honor}}
{{STS-51L}}
{{NASA Astronaut Group 8|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McNair, Ronald}}
[[Category:Space Shuttle program astronauts]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster victims]]
[[Category:NASA civilian astronauts]]
[[Category:African-American astronauts]]
[[Category:African-American physicists]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American scientists]]
[[Category:20th-century American physicists]]
[[Category:Laser researchers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Science alumni]]
[[Category:North Carolina A&T State University alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Bahá'ís]]
[[Category:African-American Bahá'ís]]
[[Category:People from Lake City, South Carolina]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]