Christina Koch, NC State graduate and current NASA astronaut, was presented with the North Carolina Award on Thursday, November 14 by Governor Roy Cooper alongside seven other North Carolinians.
The North Carolina Award, which is the state’s highest civilian honor, was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to recognize contributors to the fields of fine arts, public service, literature, and science. Since the award was created, more than 300 people have been honored. This year marked the 60th anniversary of the awards ceremony.
The North Carolina Awards committee consists of five members, appointed by the governor, who review nominations and select recipients each spring based on factors including span and scope of career, public service, and legacy of work. The awards ceremony is held each fall.
Koch, who was awarded for her contributions to science, graduated high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham. She then earned Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics from NC State, in addition to a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering. She was given an honorary PhD from NC State in 2020.
Koch has spent a total of 328 days in space, the longest continuous time for a woman, serving as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for three different expeditions. She also participated in the first all-female spacewalk.
In an interview with WRAL News, Koch emphasized North Carolina and NC State’s impact on her career and accomplishments.
“NC State prepared me with so many opportunities there. I was able to stay busy and keep my mind engaged,” she said. “One of the ways it prepared me the most was it’s where I learned about bravery. I learned about that in North Carolina because of heroes in the civil rights movement, students that were like me so long ago that stood up for what they knew was right and what they believe[d] in.”
Koch also expressed gratitude at receiving the North Carolina Award.
“I feel really proud. I feel proud as a North Carolinian because a lot of the things that I’ve learned throughout my career and apply to do what I do, I learned here in North Carolina and I have so much to be grateful for. It’s great to be back to receive and [be] awarded, to be among the other awardees that were so inspirational,” she said.
Other recipients of this year’s North Carolina Award include the Avett Brothers (Scott Avett, Seth Avett, and Bob Crawford) for fine arts, Frank Bruni Jr. for literature, William Curry for fine arts, Thomas Earnhardt for science, and Dr. Harold Martin Sr. for public service.
At only 45 years of age, Koch continues to make history. In the fall of 2025, NASA’s Artemis II mission will send Koch and three other astronauts around the moon on a 10-day trip. On this flight, Koch will be serving as a mission specialist accompanying commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. She will be the first woman to orbit the moon.
