Alumni Society Medal

James A. McDivitt is best known as the American astronaut who commanded the historic Gemini 4 and Apollo 9 missions in 1965 and 1969, respectively. To date, he is one of only four American astronauts to go directly into command of a flight without first serving as backup member on a previous mission.

Following the Apollo 9 space flight, Mr. McDivitt assumed the role of manager of NASA's lunar landing operations. Later, he became manager of the entire Apollo spacecraft program, continuing on until 1972.

A distinguished test pilot, Mr. McDivitt joined the Air Force in 1951 and retired with the rank of brigadier general in 1972. He flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F-80's and F-86 fighters.

Mr. McDivitt is a retired industrial executive of Rockwell International Corporation, formerly one of the country's leading aerospace contractors.

The recipient of numerous awards, he received two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, two Air Force Distinguished Service Medals and four Distinguished Flying Crosses, among others.

Mr. McDivitt has helped the College in several ways: serving as chair of the Design for Impact Campaign and a member of the National Advisory Committee; endowing the James A. and Judith McDivitt Scholarship and funding the McDivitt Conference Room in the François-Xavier Bagnoud Building.

A native of Chicago, Mr. McDivitt earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering and an honorary doctorate in astronautical science from the University of Michigan. He has received other honorary doctorates from Seton Hall University, Miami University and Eastern Michigan University.