2023
Dear Friends,
At Space Center Houston, we share the past, present, and future of space exploration. With a network spanning NASA, government entities, innovative corporations, and startups, research institutions, and 1.3 million yearly visitors, we are unmatched in access, impact, and legacy of partnership.
The pages of this Mission: Impact report share just a few of our diverse programs that train individuals and inspire young minds to join the STEM pathway. Most importantly, these articles illuminate stories of people transformed by opportunities available only at Space Center Houston, and only made possible through the generosity of donors. If you are already a donor, thank you.
There are many ways you can have an impact through Space Center Houston. Steve Huzar is a remarkable example, through his curiosity and enthusiasm for honoring NASA’s legacy, his commitment as a SCH volunteer, and his vision in supporting the future through his planned gift.
Thank you, Steve, and thank you all for making these stories possible. Whether you are a student, space enthusiast, donor, or volunteer, there is a vital role you can play in advancing space exploration.
Sincerely,
William T. Harris
President & CEO
*Education programs often target multiple age groups.
Gene Kranz, NASA’s second Chief Flight Director, has left a lasting mark on the world of space exploration—one that goes far beyond the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions he once directed. Now in his 90’s, Gene is still active in the space community and often visits Space Center Houston to share inspiring talks about the lessons and impact of human spaceflight.
Space captivates students of any age: from children first learning about the universe to teenagers who follow all things astronautical. Space Center Houston’s educational programs harness this natural fascination to foster a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—STEM subjects—inspiring young minds at every age to create real-world innovations that benefit our planet.
Space Center Houston invites visitors to not only observe the past, present, and future of space exploration but also to actively engage directly in the science research taking place in space now. The innovations that make human spaceflight possible also generate many technologies we use here on Earth, boosting economic growth and fostering new career opportunities.
Stephen P. Huzar’s involvement with Space Center Houston began with a deep dive into his family’s legacy. As the son of native Houstonian, Patricia Lynn Tamborello, and Apollo-era NASA engineer, Steve Huzar, Stephen has firm roots in the local space community. He’s been a Space Center Houston volunteer since 2019, sharing his passion with visitors and recently supporting our bright future with a planned gift honoring his father’s history with NASA Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC).
Space Center Houston opened its doors in 1992 with a goal to not only celebrate the legacy of America’s spaceflight program, but preserve and conserve its physical artifacts. To this day, more than 400 space artifacts and exhibits tell the story of human spaceflight: from the breathtaking first stages of NASA to the advancements of modern space travel and exciting future plans to return to the Moon, venture to Mars, and explore further reaches of space.
The JFK lectern’s adjustable mechanism is far from the first surprise found in our artifacts. The Skylab 1-G Trainer on display at Space Center Houston is the exact equipment that all three Skylab crews used from 1972-1973 to prepare for life in Earth’s orbit. So it’s fitting that when our Collections and Conservation team began their months-long assessment of the trainer, they found that many cabinets and storage lockers still contained items like what would have been used on Skylab in space: medical equipment, water filters, human waste disposal bags, food storage containers and checklists. Even a Coronagraph Containment Measuring device was discovered, which astronauts used to study what particles might be floating around in Skylab.
Houston’s remarkable growth and prosperity has long been tied to its energy, life science, and aerospace industries. Today, technologies like AI and globalized competition have increased the need for specialized skills to support the unique economic opportunities in our region. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly all of the top 10 fastest growing occupations are in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and a variety of studies suggest the space economy in particular could grow to $2.7 trillion dollars by 2050.
With your support and participation, Space Center Houston is able to provide impactful and revealing experiences to nearly 300,000 students and educators each year.
The listing below recognizes total giving to Space Center Houston in 2023 and includes all donor gifts in addition to those who were part of recommending such gifts.
Our special thanks to the following donors who were specially recognized by the Innovation Circle.
Dhaval Jadav
Peggy Kostial
Amanda and Jacob Avery
Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Fund
Susie and Pat Cunningham
Jeanne and Richard Filip
Gwen Griffin and Al Saylor
Nancy and Anna Josephs
Bud and Maryjane Scherr
Anonymous
Gracie and Bob Cavnar
Daniel Cohen
Maria B. Culley
William T. Harris
Joy and Don Kelly
Steve Kennedy
Christine and Morgan Micheletti
Harvin C. Moore
Stephanie Murphy
Mary Murray
Linda C. Murray
Mike Novelli
Syamal and Susmita Poddar
Beth Robertson
Jason Sharkey
David Youssef
Anonymous
Gideon Berkowitz
Jim Brady
Jim Braniff
Deborah and Carl Conder
Michelle and Kevin Corley
Tera Stubblefield and Stephen Currie
Ann and Bill Davidson
Susan and Marc DeChellis
Estella Hernandez Gillette
Michelle Gilvey
Richard L. Gruen
Lea Michele and Erik Hougland
Karen and Rich Jackson
Alexandre Jasserme
Irene Hickey and Lindsey Kroll
Christine and Morgan Micheletti
Raamel Mitchell
Shanell and Walker Moody
Janine Morris
Stewart Morris
Keith and Alice Mosing
John Mulholland
Ellen Ochoa and Coe Miles
Eddy and Dara Pauley
Ivan Rodriguez
Janine Schueppert
Mark and Mary Shafer
Barrett Shaver
Cali and Bob Sokol
Kristine and Welby Sweet
Rizwan and Giti Virani
Special thanks to the following individuals who have already gifted or have made provisions for a planned legacy gift to Space Center Houston:
Philip T. Pegues Irrevocable Trust
David Cisco
Stephen Huzar
Sandy Wilder
The following individuals were recognized for their support as Patron members in the Discovery Circle:
Courtney and Michael Boudreaux
Daniel Delligatti
Karen and Edwin Depenbrok
Carol Eggert Dinkins
Andy Elisburg
Duke Ensell
Magen Martinez and Brian Fontenot
Tarek Ghalayini
Sandy and Edward Grace
Kathleen and Denny Holt
Melissa and Brian Kirkland
Cathy and Peter Kopfv
Dil-Domine Leonares
Richard Mallinson
Joan and Mario Marchelli
Careisse and Chris Mathews
Jennifer Gregory and Richard McClanahan
Don and Kelly McClelland
John McLaughlin and Cliff Moore
Alexis and Todd Mitchell
Barbara and Manuel Molina
Katherine Murphy
Kelly and Stu Obkirchner
Wesley Osburn and Danielle Toti
Biswanath Todi and Naman Patwari
Izalina and Mike Pegler
Mallik Putcha
Dariela de la Garza Garcia and Javier Vladimir Ramirez Blanco
James Ramos
Tracy and Mike Scott
Amy and Kaylee Seymour
Nicole and James Smith
Sammie and Wesley Story
Tara and Harvey Stotland
Kirsten and Peter Swanson
Virginia Seale Watt
Lynn and Ashley Webster
Vivian and Bill Wied
Gail and Andrew Zitterkopf
Boeing
Chevron
Dell Technologies
Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
RISE
Parallax Advanced Research
Strake Foundation
Aegis Aerospace
Cambio
NASA Alumni League JSC
Powell Foundation
alliantgroup
Amegy Bank
Tranquility Lodge #2000
Anonymous
Boeing
ExxonMobil Foundation
LMEPAC
Marathon Petroleum
Marsh & McLennan Companies
Microsoft
Phillips 66
Shell HERO Program
Texas Instruments Foundation
Our thanks also to the following organizations who give at our donors’ request:
Greater Houston Foundation
National Christian Foundation
National Philanthropic Trust
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of these lists. Please bring any errors or omissions to our attention at [email protected] or please call us at 281.244.2126.
Michael J. Bloomfield, Chair
Raamel Mitchell, Vice Chair
Ivan E. Rodriguez Zerrate, Vice Chair
Adam L. Schneider
Alice Mosing
Arturo Sanchez
Bob Cavnar
Carlos Westhelle
Daniel L. Cohen
Deborah A. Conder
Dhaval Jadav
Fred B. Griffin
Gwen D. Griffin
Harvin C. Moore
Jacob Avery
Joel B. Walker
John Mulholland
Joy H. Kelly
Kirk Shireman
Kristina Hornberger Somerville
Lara Kearney
Mary I. Murray
Michael Edmonds
Pat Cunningham
Peggy Kostial
Richard J. Filip
Stephanie Murphy
Stewart Morris
T.J. Creamer
Officers
William T. Harris, President
Mary Shafer, Chief Operating Officer
Janet L. Brown, Treasurer & Secretary
HOURS TODAY
The All-American Rejects are throwing Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival into hyperdrive. Amp up your Space City Spring Break with us!
Access to this all-ages festival is included in general admission.
