ESU marks 40th Anniversary of Challenger disaster with week of events
Emporia, KS (01/23/2026) — Emporia State University is honoring the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger on the 40th anniversary of the explosion that claimed the lives of all aboard. A week of activities beginning Monday, Jan. 26 is led by the McNair Scholars Program in collaboration with the Peterson Planetarium and other ESU departments. The McNair Scholars Program, a federal initiative created in 1989 by Congress to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies, is named after Challenger mission specialist Dr. Ronald McNair. Christa McAuliffe, a teacher, was also an astronaut aboard the ill-fated shuttle.
From Monday, Jan. 26 through Friday, Jan. 30, a pop-up museum will be set up in the Memorial Union's Main Street area on the first floor. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The museum will feature information about the astronauts and the disaster itself with interactive elements including a memory wall where attendees who recall the event can post reflections. A dream board will allow guests to write their own dreams for the future in recognition of McNair's dream of being in space.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 10:30 to 11 a.m., a brief ceremony will be held on MU Main Street featuring a short history of the Challenger accident, a moment of silence at the time of the explosion and comments from Mark Brown, Peterson Planetarium director. Dawn McConkie, music professor, will perform a piece of music in honor of Dr. McNair.
The Peterson Planetarium, located in ESU's Science Hall Room 031, is displaying a model of the Challenger and other memorabilia through Tuesday, Feb. 3. A poster presentation will include remembrance of others lost in the service of space exploration, including the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia. On Thursday, Jan. 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the planetarium will show a special video on a loop for attendees to view at their convenience.
ESU students, faculty, staff and the public are invited to attend these activities. All events are free and no registration is required.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.