Ep 239. Charles Bolden, Freeman Hrabowski

Charles Bolden and Freeman Hrabowski are the two guests on the season 8 episode 239 of Tavis Smiley. Bolden is a retired Marine Corps Major General and a former NASA administrator, while Hrabowski is the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

The first half of the episode features Bolden discussing his life and career. He talks about how he initially wanted to be a pilot and how he ended up joining the Marine Corps instead. Bolden then describes his experience as a test pilot and his time in NASA's astronaut program. He talks about being selected for his first space mission, the STS-61C mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, and how he felt during the launch.

Bolden also talks about his tenure as director of NASA, particularly his efforts to increase diversity within the agency. He discusses the importance of inspiring young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, to pursue careers in STEM fields. Bolden also addresses the current state of NASA and the challenges the agency faces in the years ahead.

The second half of the episode features Hrabowski discussing his own life and career. He talks about how he grew up in Birmingham, Alabama during the civil rights movement and how that experience shaped his worldview. Hrabowski then describes his academic background, including his time at Hampton University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hrabowski then goes on to discuss his tenure as president of UMBC, a public research university in Baltimore, Maryland. He talks about his efforts to transform the university into a leading institution for STEM education and research. Hrabowski also describes UMBC's unique approach to education, which emphasizes academic excellence and social responsibility.

Throughout the episode, Smiley engages Bolden and Hrabowski in a thoughtful conversation about their experiences and perspectives. They touch on a wide range of topics, including the importance of diversity in science and engineering, the role of education in social mobility, and the current challenges facing the United States.

Overall, Tavis Smiley season 8 episode 239 is an engaging and thought-provoking conversation between two accomplished individuals with unique perspectives on science, education, and society. Bolden and Hrabowski provide valuable insights into their respective fields and offer compelling arguments for why diversity and social responsibility are essential for the future of science and engineering.