Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science

Mae Jemison

Noted medical researcher, you earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University and a doctorate in medicine from Cornell University.

You have been a general practitioner in the US, worked in a refugee camp in Thailand, and served as the Area Peace Corps Medical Officer in Sierra Leone and Liberia responsible for the health of volunteers and State Department staff. 

Trailblazing astronaut, you were accepted into the NASA Astronaut program in 1987. During your career at NASA, your technical assignments included launch support activities at the Kennedy Space Program, verification of Shuttle computer software, and Science Support Group work.

In 1992, you became the first woman of color in the world to travel into space when you served as the science mission specialist on an eight-day mission aboard the STS-47 Spacelab-J. You led numerous experiments on that mission and were co-investigator on a bone cell research experiment. 

Following your career with NASA, you founded the technology consultancy The Jemison Group, which considers the sociocultural impact of technological advancements and design. You also founded the nonprofit Dorothy Jemison Foundation, named in honor of your mother. Through the Jemison Foundation, you are now leading the DARPA seed funded – 100 Year Starship— a global initiative to foster the technological and human systems advancements needed for interstellar space flight by the next century while applying them to benefit life on Earth every step of the way. 

Passionate ambassador for science, the Jemison Foundation founded and runs The Earth We Share international a science camp for students ages 12 to 16 to promote science literacy by training teachers in experiential education. You have served as host and technical consultant for science programs the World of Wonder as well as for NatGeo “One Strange Rock” and MARS docudrama series.

You have taught environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where you directed the Jemison Institute for Advancing Technology in Developing Countries.

You have received numerous accolades, including being elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the National Medical Association Hall of Fame, as well as receiving the National Organization for Women Intrepid Award, the Kilby Science Award, the Westpoint Sylvanius Thayer Award and the African Union Ambassadors’ Award in recognition of global leadership.

You are dedicated to democratizing access to and development of science research and technologies, social responsibility and to ensuring young women and other underrepresented groups opportunities to pursue careers in science and technology.
Therefore, under the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware, I have the pleasure and honor of conferring upon you, Dr. Mae Jemison, the degree of Doctor of Science and do declare you entitled to all the rights, honors, and privileges to that degree appertaining throughout the world.

Terri L. Kelly
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
May 2023