Honoring the Mercury 13 Women
May 12, 2007 * UW Oshkosh Spring Commencement

Before Sally Ride, Christa McAuliffe and Eileen Collins, courageous women were setting new records and conquering new horizons. Though largely unrecognized in history, the Mercury 13 women showed their determination, strength and bravery in the Space Race with accomplishments that paved the way for generations. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is proud to recognize the pioneering spirit of these women with honorary Doctor of Science—honoris causa—degrees.

Press Kit

Renowned author salutes women who trained to be first astronauts (doc)

Nearly 1,400 to receive diplomas May 12 at UW Oshkosh (doc)

Sheldon woman keynote speaker at May 12 Commencement (doc)

Oshkosh man keynote speaker at May 12 Commencement (doc)

8 women astronaut pioneers to attend 2-day event in their honor (doc)

UW Oshkosh to honor America's first female astronaut candidates (doc)

Martha Ackmann's Keynote Commencement Speech (pdf)

Media Pass Request Form

Martha Ackmann Photo (tiff)

Mercury 13 Booklet (pdf)

Parking

Parking will be reserved for the media in Lot #15 on Friday, May 11. All parking will be open to the public for commencement on Saturday, May 12.

Wireless Access

Access to the university's campus wireless system (woosh) will be available for the media in Reeve Memorial Union Room 215 on Friday, May 11, and in Kolf Room 164 on Saturday, May 12.

Media Representatives

Jeanette De Diemar, Ph.D. ’88, Executive Director, Integrated Marketing and Communications
- dediemarj@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-3358
- Cell: (920) 809-8868
Frank Church, News Director
- church@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-1398
- Cell: (920) 410-4763
Natalie Johnson, Marketing Communications Manager
- johnsonn@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-3362
Heidi Heidenreich Nowicki, ’92, Writer and Editor
- nowickih@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-3088
David Williams, Communications Specialist
- williamd@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-2442
Outside Hours Contact Number: (920) 410-4763

UW Oshkosh Odyssey Program

Debbie Gray Patton, Assistant Dean of Students
- graypatt@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-3100

UW Oshkosh Women & Science Program

Susannah Sandrin, Ph.D., Program Director
- was@uwosh.edu
- Office: (920) 424-7414

View UW Oshkosh Strategic Plan

Download the Mercury 13 poster (pdf)

History of UW Oshkosh (mov)

UW Oshkosh official Logos

Driving Directions