STEPHENVILLE — Tarleton State University has joined a prestigious list of some of the nation’s most high-caliber STEM institutions with its induction as a partner in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).
Founded in 1984 by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the ASF is a nonprofit organization that awards more than 70 scholarships each year to outstanding college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
As an ASF partner, the university will be able to offer an annual scholarship of up to $15,000 to an undergraduate student at the junior or senior level.
Tarleton State’s sponsor is astronaut Charlie Duke, the 10th and youngest person to walk on the Moon. He and his wife, Dotty, along with two representatives of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation — Nicole Russ and Colleen Middlebrooks — were on campus Thursday to officiate the honor.
“This partnership with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation represents a powerful investment in the talent and potential of our students,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “Being selected as an ASF partner places Tarleton State among an elite group of institutions nationwide and affirms the quality of our STEM programs. It opens doors for our students to access transformational financial support, mentorship from pioneers in science and exploration, and a lifelong professional network that will shape their futures and the future of innovation.”
Mayfield College of Engineering Dean Dr. Rafael Landaeta noted that the partnership creates an exceptional pathway for students — particularly those from rural communities, more than half of whom are first-generation — to earn an Astronaut Scholarship that provides substantial financial support and access to a lifelong network of mentorship and career opportunities.
“We are truly grateful and feel blessed by Tarleton State’s induction as a university partner of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, placing us among fewer than 60 institutions nationwide and only four in Texas recognized at this level,” Dr. Landaeta said. “We are especially honored that Tarleton State’s sponsorship is supported by Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, amplifying the significance of this moment for our students and our university.”
ASF scholarship recipients are chosen for their exceptional academic performance and demonstrated research potential in STEM fields. In 2025, the foundation awarded 74 scholarships to students representing 51 universities. In addition to financial support, ASF provides valuable networking opportunities, mentorship from astronauts and senior industry leaders, participation in the Innovators Symposium and Gala, and access to a lifelong professional community.
ASF’s university partners include many of the nation’s leading STEM institutions, recognized for their academic excellence and rigorous graduate-level research opportunities. In addition, each partner institution benefits from dedicated sponsorship — from industry leaders to alumni and foundations — that strengthens the scholarship’s reach and impact.
To view a list of ASF university partners, visit astronautscholarship.org/universities/university-partners/.
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