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Madison, Wisconsin — It’s been 20 years since the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The shuttle broke apart over Texas on February 1, 2003 as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.
Seven crew members died, including astronaut Laurel Clarke, who grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. She graduated from Racine Sherwick High School in 1979. Clark then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. She subsequently received her medical doctorate in 1987.
Clark spent time as a submarine surgeon in the Navy and a flight surgeon in the Marine Corps.
Sarah Schutt, executive director of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, said Clark was also obsessed with space travel.
“I think everyone in the scientific world wonders what is going on outside of Earth. , just a curiosity to explore how the science as we know it can translate ‘to space exploration,’ Schutt said.
According to UW-Madison, Clark’s first and last mission as an astronaut was on the space shuttle Columbia. The crew performed about 80 experiments. Clarke was studying gravity and its effects on humans. In addition, she has gardened in space and studied gene transfer in plants.
Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 crew, left to right, front row, Commander Rick Husband, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Pilot William McCool, back row, Mission Specialist David Brown, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Payload Specialist Iran Ramon of Israel. Space Shuttle Columbia crashes over Texas on February 1, 2003. (AP Photo/NASA, File)
Her life and loss have inspired those who followed in her footsteps. UW-Madison continues to honor her memory with a scholarship. Founded by the Dean.
Her legacy is also celebrated at the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Alumni Park. The park is located between Memorial Union and Red Jim on the UW Madison campus. Open all year round.
“We’re talking about college by highlighting the story of an alumni. Of course, she’s the personification of Wisconsin’s ideas,” Schutt said.
Watch the full interview with Schutt above.
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