October 10, 2019 | UHCL Staff
University of Houston-Clear Lake would not exist had it not been for a request made in 1964 by then-NASA Johnson Space Center Director Robert Gilruth to then-University of Houston President Philip Hoffman to
establish a permanent institution of higher education accessible to JSC staff, scientists
and engineers. In 1974, UH-Clear Lake opened its doors, and in continued celebration
of their shared bond, NASA JSC and UHCL signed the new Space Act Agreement and Annex
on Oct. 1, affirming and expanding their partnership for the benefit of the entire
community.
The agreement states that UHCL and NASA JSC will continue working collaboratively to facilitate joint research, technology transfer, technology development and educational initiatives, and that these goals would be pursued through UHCL’s undergraduate and graduate programs and joint research programs focusing on science and technology topics of interest to NASA.
“This is a great day for all of us,” said JSC Director Mark Geyer. “We look forward to continued collaboration with UHCL, as we build on our work in low-Earth orbit and pave the way to the Moon and on to Mars as part of our Artemis program.”
UHCL President Ira K. Blake said, “Together, we will contribute to transforming the lives of students; enriching the careers of UHCL faculty, and providing the NASA staff, engineers, scientists and astronauts opportunities to share their expertise as professional instructors.”
Among the other attendees at the signing event were UHCL Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Steven Berberich, Vice President for University Advancement Joe Staley, Associate Vice President of Strategic Information, Initiatives and Technology Evelyn Miralles, College of Science and Engineering Dean Miguel Gonzalez, NASA JSC Deputy Center Director Vanessa Wyche, External Relations Office Director Debbie Conder, External Relations Office Deputy Director Arturo Sanchez, Exploration Integration and Science Director John McCullough, and Director of University Collaboration and Partnership Office Kamlesh Lulla.
