NASA Veteran and Eagle’s Trace Resident Elizabeth Gauldin Journeys to Virginia to Deliver Commencement Address at Alma Mater

By Sunny McKinnon
The Erickson Tribune

Elizabeth Gauldin is a rocket scientist. Literally.

During her 30-year career at NASA, she worked on history-making projects that most of us only read about in the headlines. The Apollo 13 launch and rescue; the launch of Skylab, America’s first space station; and the Shuttle program are but a few of the bullet points on Gauldin’s resume.

But for all her accomplishments and honors, the event that she treasures the most is being asked to deliver the commencement address to the winter graduates at James Madison University (JMU), her alma mater.

“At some point in everyone’s life, there is a special honor or moment,” reflects Gauldin. “Something that can be considered the biggest honor. I think this is it.”

Tell It Like It Is

Never one to mince words, Gauldin says her speech wasn’t your typical sweet, little-old-lady variety.

“It was about how to behave in the working world, how to act around your boss and fellow workers, and how to achieve your goals without losing sight of your values,” says Gauldin. “The whole speech is about moving to new worlds, and how to behave.”

The straight-talking, 20-minute address she delivered at JMU’s January commencement was well received by the crowd of 5,000 visitors, and greatly appreciated by the 600 new graduates.

“The parents thanked me as much, if not more, than the graduates,” says Gauldin. “It was a big honor. My whole family was there, including my daughter, who was chewing her nails!

“The university did so much to honor me during the graduation,” Gauldin continues. “They put up a billboard welcoming me. And knowing my daughter is an architect, they arranged for her to have a private tour of Montpelier, the home of President Madison. It was all very special.”

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