posted 06-21-2024 12:06 PM               

Celebrating 40 Years of ASF

Commemorate the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s 40 years of excellence in honoring America’s legends and inspiring tomorrow’s innovators.

Forty years ago, the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton), Betty Grissom, William Douglas, M.D. and Henri Landwirth established the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). Since its inception, the ASF had the mission of retaining the United States world leadership in technology and innovation to support the very best and brightest scholars in STEM while commemorating the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts.

From the original 7 scholarships in 1984, ASF has awarded more than $9 million Astronaut Scholarships to more than 800 Astronaut Scholars from 48 universities across the nation.

Dr. William Douglas and Dr. Al Miller, key contributors to the ASF's success, played vital roles in shaping its legacy. Dr. Douglas was the Project Mercury surgeon and a founder of the ASF. Dr. Miller was the first Scholarship Selection Chairman who designed ASF's unique process for obtaining nominations and selecting the top college students studying STEM. He was also one of the members who helped kickstart the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society, an alumni network that ensures all scholarship award recipients have a lifelong relationship with the Foundation.

posted 06-21-2024 12:06 PM               

Countdown to Founders' Day

Limited Edition Mercury 7 Foundation Certificate

Throughout our 40th Anniversary, donors have shared many memories, including photos from past events, meeting iconic astronauts and historic items dating back to 1986. Of those signed items was a certificate given to individuals who donated to the Mercury 7 Foundation (now known as the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation) signed by Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton.

In honor of the Mercury 7 Astronaut legacy and celebration of our 40th Anniversary, we're thrilled to announce that we are reproducing the Mercury 7 Foundation certificates. Starting today until July 19th, you can donate to ASF to receive a numbered certificate signed by some of our founders and Board of Director members. Your generous gift to ASF will also be doubled thanks to the ASF Chairmen and their families.

• Make a gift of $1,984 to receive: Numbered certificate signed by Jim Lovell, Charlie Duke, Dan Brandenstein and Curt Brown

• Make a gift of $719 to receive: Numbered certificate signed by Dan Brandenstein and Curt Brown

posted 07-03-2024 10:15 AM               

Captain Jim Lovell and his children are making a significant contribution to advance ASF into the next 40 years. Watch the video for the announcement.

posted 07-12-2024 01:47 PM               

It's All Thanks to You!

Thanks to our ASF Family, we have reached our Founder's Day $40,000 goal!!! These funds will provide scholarships, mentoring, professional development and other programs that are important to helping advance our Astronaut Scholars.

We appreciated your support as we continue to countdown to our 40th anniversary Founder’s Day on July 19th!

Please continue to celebrate with us and support the Foundation by:

• Donate $1,984 for an exclusive signed certificate signed by Lovell, Duke, Brandenstein, Brown

• Donate $719 to receive a certificate signed by Brandenstein and Brown

• Sign up to give monthly gift of $19.84 to commemorate our founding year – you will receive our commemorative 40th anniversary lapel pin!

• Make a one-time annual gift

• Ask your employer to match your giving

Thank you for the investment you have made into ASF throughout the years. We couldn’t have made it 40 years without YOU.