Astronaut Sunita Williams receives honorary degree from Merrimack College, recalls dramatic nine-month journey in space
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In an interview after the ceremony, Williams revealed plans to continue passing on her wisdom. On Friday, she plans to visit her hometown of Needham, dropping by Sunita L. Williams Elementary School—which was named for her in 2019—and in the future she pledged to mentor aspiring astronauts, 'giving back the things that I've learned, and pass it on to the future generations.'
Her advice to these new astronauts closely mirrors the guidance she offered the graduates: be able to 'adapt and pivot.'
'I don't think I've had one spacewalk that has gone from A to B as planned. Every time there's been something that's a little bit different, and you just need to know that's part of the job,' she said.
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Williams' speech follows her
Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams posed for a portrait inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Station's Harmony module and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 13, 2024.
Uncredited/Associated Press
She described in the speech witnessing 'unbelievable' auroras, watching two comets swing around the sun, and carrying out 'groundbreaking' life-science experiments and spacecraft trials.
'We wouldn't have had that opportunity to participate in these things if everything went as planned,' she said. 'We don't always intend to do these daring things and learn so much.'
According to Williams, success lies in patience, steadfastness, and the willingness to support—and lean on—one another.
NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams spoke with the media following the commencement.
Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
'This is just the beginning,' she told the graduates. 'There are many more starting lines you need to find. There are so many more people you need to lend a helping hand to.'
'This is your time, your world to make better,' she said.
Merrimack College also awarded Williams an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters—one of five honorary degrees presented at this year's commencement ceremonies. She beamed and gave a thumbs-up as a white stole was draped over her shoulders, officially marking her new distinction.
NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams greeted graduates as they passed through a gauntlet of faculty during Merrimack College's School of Arts and Sciences Commencement in North Andover.
Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
The award is just part of a long list of accolades for Williams, who has received two Defense Superior Service Medals, a Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous other
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In fact, even on earth, her passion for running remains undiminished.
She told the Globe in the post-ceremony interview, she will run again in the Boston Marathon in 2026.
'I have to be a little bit careful as [my] body adjusts to coming back home,' she said. '… [But] I'm going to make myself do it. Now that I've said it out loud.'
Mostly, though, she wants to savor life on Earth.
'I missed it,' Williams said. 'To come back to walk my dogs... take them to the beach, feel the sand in your feet, you know, go hiking in the mountains and you know, smell the pine.'
'I took for granted none of it,' she said.
Rita Chandler can be reached at
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