Lynchburg Astronaut Leland Melvin inspires students to dream big

By Aimee Norton

Published: April 7, 2008

Leland Melvin captivated students at Liberty University as he talked about his mission to the International Space Station.  At Monday morning’s convocation service he told students about his voyage, from lift off to connecting with the space station, while showing video from the mission.

“There I am working inside. We don’t have any windows inside the laboratory so we use monitors and camera views,“ said Melvin, pointing up screens in the Vines Center.

He talked about life at zero gravity, and his job, operating a robotic arm, during the 13 day mission aboard Atlantis.

Melvin also visited with second grade students at Liberty Christian Academy, encouraging students of all ages to dream big.

“There’s so many divisive things out there pulling them away from family, from just doing the right thing and I think it’s so important that as a civilization our kids have all the tools they need,“ he said.

Melvin’s parents, Deems and Grace Melvin, looked on proudly. Both are retired school teachers.
“It makes me feel good to know that other kids are hearing this,“ said Deems Melvin.

Melvin gave the camera a thumbs up before back to Earth; a journey most of us can only dream of, but one Melvin proves is possible.

“I hope that all of you live your dreams because you are our next generation of explorers,“ he said.