"Winston Elliott Scott"(August 6, 1950)

Is a retired United States Navy captain and former NASA astronaut.Due to integration Winston graduated from Coral Gables High School,Florida in 1968. Winston intended high school would have been The George Washington Carver Sr.High of Coconut Grove,Florida.He received a bachelor of arts degree in music from Florida State University in 1972;a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1980.In 2007,he received an honorary degree from The Michigan State University for his work in space which is regarded as a case study in leadership and expert communications.He also spoke at the 2007 commencements at the Michigan State University encouraging students to believe in themselves and follow their dreams,because after all,anything is possible.Winston entered Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School from Florida State University in December 1972.He completed flight training in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and was designed a Naval Aviator in August 1974.He then served a 4-year tour of duty with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Thirty Three (HSL-33) at the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island,California,flying the SH-2F Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (Lamps) helicopter.In 1978 Winston was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey,California,where he earned his master of science degree aeronautical engineering with avionics.After completing jet training in the TA-4J Skyhawk,he served a tour of duty with Fighter Squadron Eighty Four (VF-84) at NAS Oceana,Virginia,flying the F-14 Tomcat.In June 1986 Winston was designated an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer.He served as a production test pilot at the Naval Aviation Depot,NAS Jacksonville,Florida,flying the F/A-18 Hornet and the A-7 Corsair Aircraft.He was also assigned as Director of the Product Support (engineering) Department.He was next assigned as the Deputy Director of the Tactical Aircraft Systems Department at the Naval Air Development Center at Warminster,Pennsylvania.As research and Development project pilot,he flew the F-14,F/A-18 and A-7 Corsair II aircraft.He has accumulated more 4,000 hours of flight time in 20 different military and civilan aircraft,and more than 200 shipboard landings.Additionally,Winston was an associate instructor of electrical engineering at Florida A&M University and Florida Community College at Jacksonville,Florida.Winston was selected by NASA in March 1992,and reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992.He served as a mission specialist on STS-72 IN 1996 AND STS-87 in 1997,and logged a total of 24 days,14 hours and 34 minutes in space,including three spacewalks totaling 19 hours and 26 minutes.Winston retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy at the end of July 1999 to accept a position at his alma mater,Florida University,as Vice President for Student Affairs.Winston then served as director of the Florida Space Authority,he attempted to promote the development of a commerical spaceport in the state.His responsibilities included the development of space-related initiatives.He represented the State's interests in the development of space policies and programs and advises the Governor and Lt.Governor on all civil,commerical and military space matters.He left the Authority prior to its dissolution at the insistence of then Governor Jed Bush.He is now the Dean of the College of Aeronautics at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne.Winston has written a book about his experiences in space,titled Reflections From Earth Orbit.