Tennessee Tech holds a ribbon cutting ceremony for Wilmore Way Friday, a pedestrian walkway honoring University graduate and NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore for his accomplishments.
Wilmore spent 167 days on a space mission, accumulating a total of 464 hours of space travel over his career. Wilmore said he gained the foundation to learn the skills his job requires at Tennessee Tech.
“It’s a thrilling day, it’s a thrilling opportunity for my family,” Wilmore said. “You know, maybe I’ll have grand kids that’ll go here one day and they can say that road’s named after me, because, Wilmore, right. So, It’s an honor, and like I said, never expected, but truly honored and humbled by it, thank you.”
Wilmore said he walked the strip of road late nights on his way back to his dormitory, after spending the day balancing football and academics. Wilmore said this is a thrilling opportunity for his family.
“If it wasn’t for the rigor of this place and the things that I learned here and the ability and my mind was transitioned to be able to take in information and recall that information, and it was all learned here.” Wilmore said. “A long time ago, but its, that’s why I love this place and that’s why I love this school.”
