Former Astronaut Gene Cernan addresses TSTC students at the Annual Aerospace Division Awards Seminar.

(WACO) – Gene Cernan, former American naval officer and aviator, electrical engineer, aeronautical engineer, fighter pilot, and NASA astronaut, spoke at the TSTC Aerospace Division’s Annual Awards Seminar earlier today.

Cernan launched into space three times, and as part of the December 1972 Apollo 17 mission, was the 11th and last man to walk on the moon. He was Pilot of the Gemini 9A mission in 1966, Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 10 in 1969, and Commander of the Apollo 17 mission. Cernan was also a backup crew member for the Gemini 12, Apollo 7 and Apollo 14 missions.

Cernan delivered a moving speech about his knowledge of the field of aerospace, and his experience on the moon, describing the earth from space.

“When you head out in space, it’s a different point of view. Now you’re beginning to see the earth and the world as only it has been seen through the paintings of artists, or the words of poets.”

Cernan urged the students to accept the challenges of life.

“I want to promise you that fate will play a role in your life,” he said. “If you’re willing to accept a challenge, an opportunity, more challenges and more opportunities are going to come along. You’re going to have to be willing to take the risk.”

Cernan accepted the challenge of commanding the Apollo 17 mission to prove himself.

“People ask me all the time what it was like to take those first steps on the moon, but Neil Armstrong and many others took steps before me. These steps mattered to me because they were my steps, and no one could ever take them away from me,” Cernan said. “The reason I needed to command that flight, was to find out if I was good enough. It proved to me that I could do it. You have to have the attitude that you not only can do it, but you can do it better than it’s ever been done.”

Aircraft Pilot Training Department Chair Angel Newhart said it was beneficial to have Commander Cernan speak to the students because of his experience.

“Commander Cernan represents aviation as whole. He’s been there and done that,” Newhart said. “He’s been out there in industry and flown some really fast, cool aircraft. He’s a good example of where these students want to be; we have a couple of students here who want to go to NASA.”

Cernan words encouraged the audience.

“It was good to have an astronaut here to represent the industry and to encourage everybody to keep going,” Newhart said.

Aaron Gilbert, an Aircraft Pilot Training student, said what he took away from Cernan’s speech was that anyone can do anything.

“There’s really no limit to what you want to do,” said Gilbert. “If you set your mind to it anything is possible.”