Former astronaut Chris Ferguson is expected to attend the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame induction ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 21, at Holy Family University.
Ferguson, who lives in Texas, will be inducted along with business and community leader Ed Kelly; inventor and solar power pioneer Frank Shuman; civil rights leader and anti-apartheid activist Leon Sullivan; and seven churches, all 200 or more years old.
The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at Holy Family’s Education and Technology Center.
Ferguson is a Far Northeast native who attended St. Martha Grammar School and Archbishop Ryan High School. A retired U.S. Navy captain, he completed three space shuttle missions. He piloted Atlantis in 2006 and commanded Endeavour in 2008 and Atlantis in 2011.
The 2011 flight was the last space shuttle mission. NASA has eliminated the program. Today, Ferguson works for Boeing.
Kelly, founder of the Pennypack Park Music Festival and former president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, died Aug. 20. His family will accept the award in his place.
Descendants of Shuman (1862–1918) will accept his award. A former Tacony resident, he invented safety glass, which still is used in cars and trains today.
Sullivan (1922–2001) will be represented by family members and an official of the Washington, D.C.-based Sullivan Foundation. A former Holmesburg resident, he founded the Opportunities Industrialization Centers, which created international job training and life skills programs.
Members of the following churches are expected to celebrate their place of worship’s honor: United Monthly Meeting Frankford (founded 1682), Byberry Monthly Meeting (1683), Pennepack Baptist Church in Bustleton (1688), Trinity Church Oxford in Lawndale (circa 1698), Presbyterian Church of Frankford (1722), All Saints Episcopal Church, Torresdale (1772) and Campbell AME Church in Frankford (1807).
Meanwhile, the deadline is Sept. 26 for local high school students to submit an essay on Uncovering Northeast Philly: What Makes Northeast Philadelphia Special?
The essay can be 750 to 1,000 words. The grand prize is a $2,000 scholarship to Holy Family University and an iPad.
Honorable mention prizes include gift certificates to local businesses. The teacher with the most students entering the contest will receive a gift certificate to the Dining Car.
Entries should be e-mailed to lrotoli@holyfamily.edu
The winner of the essay contest will be honored at the induction ceremony.
For more information, visit the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame page on Facebook or go to http://www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org/fame1.html ••
