Jim Bridenstine, head of NASA, to speak on campus Feb. 6, 7

Liberty University will welcome Jim Bridenstine, administrator of NASA, to campus on Feb. 6 and 7. He will speak at the university’s weekly Convo Select, hosted by the Liberty University School of Business and School of Engineering, on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Center for Music and the Worship Arts’ Concert Hall. A Q & A session is also open to all students and faculty beforehand, starting at 9 a.m., with a chance to have their pictures taken with Bridenstine. Then, on Friday, Bridenstine will address the entire student body at Convocation at 10:30 a.m. in the Vines Center.

Bridenstine will share the milestones of his career in public service — from being a TOPGUN pilot, to representing Oklahoma as a U.S. congressman and member of the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee, to his current position as the leader of NASA — as well as the way his faith has played a role throughout his life and work.

Dr. Dave Brat, dean of the School of Business and a former colleague of Bridenstine’s in Congress, shared his excitement to welcome this notable guest.

“His talk will cover his current position as the director of NASA, but he’s also going to preach a little bit and link his faith to his calling and work,” Brat said. “I asked him to talk about the connection between faith and science — in particular, how the beauty and awe of the heavens declare the glory of God and how the skies proclaim the work of God’s hands, and I think that’s going to be great.”

Brat sees this as a perfect opportunity for students to hear from someone who has found success in multiple fields after working hard and excelling in school, all while simultaneously weaving his Christian faith into his life.

“We want to highlight the relationship between business and technology and the sciences, and at the same time, show students that they have to do the hard work now in school so that they can fully utilize their gifts and talents to build the Kingdom of God.”

Bridenstine was nominated by President Donald Trump, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and sworn in as NASA’s 13th administrator on April 23, 2018.