Oklahoma education news briefs

OSU to give degree to astronaut

Oklahoma astronaut Thomas P. Stafford will receive an honorary doctor of science degree from Oklahoma State University in May. “We are pleased to recognize a true pioneer of space flight with an honorary doctorate of science as a sign of our deep and abiding appreciation for his many contributions,” OSU President Burns Hargis said in a news release. Stafford flew two Gemini space flights and commanded Apollo 10. He commanded a joint U.S.-Soviet space mission in 1975, which connected the Apollo and Soyuz space vehicles. He is a native of Weatherford and graduated from the Naval Academy. He moved on to the Air Force and eventually became an astronaut for NASA. Stafford now lives in Florida.

Funds available for students

Grant money is available for college students who are close to graduating and who live in Canadian, Cleveland, Logan and Oklahoma counties. “This grant affords adult students residing in the Oklahoma City metro area the opportunity to get to the finish line and obtain their college degree,” said Ben Hardcastle of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. “If money has been a factor in preventing degree attainment, then Project Finish Line is a way to help ease that financial burden.” Project Finish Line is open to students age 18 or older who are within 15 hours of earning college certificate, associate degree or bachelor's degree. Grants can be used for tuition, fees and textbooks. Grants may also be awarded to students who live outside the four-county region but attend a college in the area. The program is a partnership with the state regents and the Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board. More information is available at www.okhighered.org/reachhigher/finish-line.shtml.