President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg presented National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut Charles J. Camarda, MS ’80, with The George Washington University’s President’s Medal on October 25. Camarda’s visit had a dual purpose – after the presentation of the medal, he discussed the Discovery space mission as a part of the “How Do I Become A…” series, co-sponsored by the George Washington Alumni Association and Class Council.

Charles Camarda, MS ’80, receives a President's Medal for his work on the Return to Flight mission. Photo Credit: Julie Woodford	President Tractenberg smiles after accepting a GW banner from Charles Camarda, MS ’80. Camarda took the GW banner into space on the shuttle Discovery. Photo Credit: Julie Woodford

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in April 1996, Camarda reported to the NASA Johnson Space Center in August 1996. He flew on the Return to Flight mission from July 26 to August 9 and carried a GW flag on that mission. Following the President’s Medal ceremony, Camarda presented the flag to President Trachtenberg and to the University. To read more about Camarda, visit the GW News Center.