(DES MOINES, Iowa) Southeast Iowa native astronaut Peggy Whitson will be honored this spring, with the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award.
It's the Ray Center's highest honor, and is given each year to someone who demonstrates good character as a role model.
Past recipients include Norman Borlaug, Hayden Fry, Dan Gable, Fred Hoiberg, Shawn Johnson, and Ashton Kutcher.
Whitson holds the U.S. record for total days in space, she'll accept the award April 13th in West Des Moines.
“What a huge honor it is for me to receive the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award,” Whitson said. “I really admire an organization like CHARACTER COUNTS! that promotes good ethical characteristics in our youth.”
“Peggy Whitson has dedicated her life’s work in order to bring positive change to the world,” said former Governor Robert D. Ray. “Peggy was inspired at an early age in Iowa to dream big and she continues to be guided by her Iowa values as she puts her character into action every day as one of the most decorated astronauts of all time.”