NEWS
Vande Hei Returns Safely From ISS Mark Vande Hei ’89 returned to Earth on March 30, after spending 355 days – the longest spaceflight in U.S. history – aboard the International Space Station. His return flight with two Russian cosmonauts, landing in Kazakhstan, became a source of international conversation after Russia began its military actions in Ukraine and the United States led efforts to impose sanctions. In the ensuing month, there were mixed messages from the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, as to whether Vande Hei would be allowed to return aboard a Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft. “Mark’s mission is not only recordbreaking, but also paving the way for future human explorers on the Moon, Mars, and beyond,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. “Our astronauts make incredible sacrifices in the name of science, exploration and cutting-edge
technology development, not least among them time away from loved ones. NASA and the nation are proud to welcome Mark home and grateful for his incredible contributions throughout his year-long stay on the International Space Station.” “I’m very, very grateful to have had this amazing opportunity to come up to the space station here with such wonderful
people who I consider friends for the rest of my life; to serve my country and all of humanity,” said Vande Hei. “This is a very challenging time for international relations. My hope is that in our attempt to further and find peace throughout the world, that these type of connections that we have can be maintained and serve as a path forward.”
McKeown Earns Walter Reger Award When Dan McKeown ’85 looks at the list of people who have received the Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award over the years, the CEO/president of Specialty Manufacturing Co. in St. Paul said he is deeply humbled to be joining that group. McKeown served as chair of the Saint John’s University Board of Trustees until January. His work in that capacity helped pave the way for Strong Integration. It is in recognition of those efforts, and of his accomplishments as a student, alumnus, trustee and advocate, that he has been named this year’s winner of the award – the highest honor bestowed by the SJU Alumni Association for service to the Saint John’s community. McKeown’s father Tom ’52 received the award in 1993, making the two just the second father-son combination to be awarded the honor. They join Bill ’55 and Jim Sexton ’81, who received it in 2000 and 2021 respectively. McKeown served on the SJU Board of Trustees from 2013 to earlier this year, and again followed in his father’s footsteps when he became chair – a role in which Tom had served from 1989 to 1992.
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