Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University leaders joined educators, community partners, and elected officials on Wednesday as the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster while also recognizing major milestones in the development of Alabama’s only Challenger Learning Center.
The ceremony honored the legacy of the Challenger crew and the educational mission that emerged from the 1986 tragedy—one rooted in curiosity, exploration, and opportunity. The event also marked the official launch of the Center’s new website and the public phase of its major gift campaign, Building STEM Talent Together.
Jacksonville State University participated as a key partner in the initiative, reinforcing its commitment to hands-on learning, collaboration with educators, and expanding educational pathways across Northeast Alabama.
In remarks during the event, Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth Jr. reflected on witnessing the Challenger disaster as a student and how that moment continues to shape the mission behind today’s work.
“I was one of those sixth-grade students gathered in a room watching the explosion, but not really understanding what we were witnessing,” Killingsworth said. “It took time after that to realize what had happened. Although it was a tragedy, it became an educational opportunity that now leads us to this point.”
President Killingsworth emphasized that the partnership closely aligns with the university’s mission to expand opportunity through education, innovation, and engagement. He noted that the Challenger Learning Center brings STEAM education to life by encouraging critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving—skills that mirror the university’s academic focus and the needs of the regional workforce.
“Our responsibility goes beyond our campus,” Killingsworth said. “We are here to serve, to lead, and to help build strong educational pathways across North Alabama and beyond.”
He added that the partnership will be strengthened through faculty expertise, student engagement, research support, and collaboration with educators throughout the region, providing applied learning experiences for university students while expanding resources for K–12 educators.
Other speakers echoed the importance of partnership and community investment in bringing the Center to life. Dr. Farrah Hayes, executive director of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama, thanked Jax State employees and community leaders for their support.
“This Center exists because a group of leaders believed deeply enough to invest early, advocate boldly, and make history in Northeast Alabama,” Hayes said.
Tony Smith, chairman of the Center’s board of directors, said the project reflects the region’s commitment to honoring the past while investing in the future. The program also included reflections on the Challenger legacy by Jennifer Maddox, who spoke about the enduring responsibility to ensure the astronauts’ sacrifice continues to inspire learning and discovery.
The event recognized the seven Challenger astronauts—Francis “Dick” Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe—and the families who established the Challenger Center network as a living memorial focused on education and exploration.
Additional acknowledgments were made to key partners, including Joe Taylor and the City of Rainbow City for providing land, financial support, and ongoing advocacy, as well as the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, which served as fiscal sponsor and the project’s first donor.
Project leaders highlighted the impact of the Sojourner Campaign, which concluded in 2025 with 117 donors contributing and pledging more than $18 million toward construction and operations. The project also secured $8.5 million from the Alabama Education Trust Fund and a $2.4 million NASA appropriation supported by Robert Aderholt. Five rooms within the Center have been named through early investments by businesses, schools, and individuals.
During the event, President Killingsworth also recognized the formal partnership that will designate the facility as the Jax State STEAM Institute, providing immersive STEM experiences for middle school students while offering university students hands-on teaching and workforce development opportunities.
Remarks were also delivered by Spencer Williams of Alabama Power, who emphasized the Center’s role in strengthening the regional talent pipeline, and Steve Marshall, who addressed the importance of STEM education in supporting Alabama’s future workforce.
A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the Center’s new website, developed by Jason Guinn, BJ Miller, and the Lookout IT team. The platform serves as a central gateway for educators, students, families, and supporters to explore mission simulations, STEM programs, camps, events, and giving opportunities.
Construction of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is underway. The facility will be the 34th Challenger Learning Center worldwide and the only one constructed entirely from the ground up. A grand opening and ribbon cutting are planned for Spring 2026.
