17th Annual College of Engineering Welcome Event

Thursday, August 17, 2017
Talley Student Union, State Ballroom
NC State University
4:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Christine Mann Darden
Retired member of The Senior Executive Service
NASA Langley Research Center

After nearly 40 years of service, Dr. Christine M. Darden retired as a member of The Senior Executive Service in March 2007 from NASA Langley Research Center, where she was hired in 1967 as a computer/data analyst in the Re-Entry Physics Branch. Her final assignment at Langley was as director of the Office of Strategic Communications and Education (OSCE) in which she was responsible for the center’s external and internal communications, community outreach, governmental relations and educational outreach.

Prior to her career at Langley Research Center, Darden served as a mathematics instructor at Virginia State College and taught high school mathematics. During her time at NASA, she authored more than 57 technical papers and articles, primarily in the areas of sonic boom prediction, sonic boom minimization, and supersonic wing design and is recognized as an international expert in these areas. She has received dozens of awards and honors including two NASA Medals, one for her work and leadership of the Sonic Boom Program, and the other for her active involvement in working with and encouraging students to pursue careers in math and science. In addition, she received the Black Engineer of the Year Outstanding Achievement in Government Award and the Women in Science & Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.

Darden earned a B.S. in mathematics education from Hampton Institute (now University), an M.S. in applied mathematics from Virginia State College (now University) and a D.Sc. in mechanical engineering from George Washington. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Management from Simmons College Graduate School of Management and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Old Dominion University.

She was recently included in the book, “Hidden Figures” by Margot Shetterly and the 20^th Century Fox film of the same name based on the NASA “human computers” who as members of the segregated West Computers contributed to the NASA Space Program in the early 1960s.