By Brian Livingston
Gene Goldman, as the guest speaker Wednesday at the President's Roundtable Luncheon on the campus of Meridian Community College, probably knew he would get a token of appreciation for taking time from his busy schedule as director of the John E. Stennis Space Center to travel to Meridian for the event.
But even he was surprised at the announcement MCC President Scott Elliott made shortly after Goldman finished his speech.
"I think this would be as good a time as any to make this announcement," said Elliott. "I can't think of a better time."
Elliott said MCC will award for the first time the Gene Goldman Scholarship in honor of the MCC alumnus who has moved on to such heights in his career. The scholarship is worth $1,000 and will be awarded to a deserving engineering student attending MCC during the upcoming spring semester.
"I am honored that a Meridian Community College scholarship will be awarded to an aspiring engineering student in my name," said Goldman. "The real tribute is to the members of the MCC Foundation that provides the funding for this outstanding scholarship program and which benefits the youth of Lauderdale County as well as develops our future leaders. It is a remarkable demonstration of community service."
"I can't think of anyone who despite his position has remained down to earth and humble," said Elliott. "We here at MCC thought this was appropriate."
Goldman has served as the director of NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis since 2008. As director, he provides executive leadership, overall direction and management of the center. He is responsible for implementing NASA's mission in the area of rocket propulsion testing, developing and maintaining NASA's world-class rocket propulsion test facilities, and ensuring Stennis serves as the systems engineering center for applied science activities assigned by the agency.
Goldman began his NASA career in 1990. Before joining NASA, he worked for three years as engineering manager for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Athens, Ala.; seven years as a project engineer/manager for Gulf States Utilities in Baton Rouge, La.; and four years as project engineer with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Hartsville, Tenn.
After graduating from MCC, Goldman earned the Registered Professional Engineer-Civil certification in 1983. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University.
