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Photograph: Michael P. Anderson Memorial Aerospace ProgramDescription
Color photograph of Michael P. Anderson. Astronaut Lt. Col Michael P. Anderson of Spokane, WA sadly passed away in the Space Shuttle Columbia incident in February 2003.
The program, which was created in 2008 to honor the memory of astronaut Michael P. Anderson, is run by a board of volunteers and features six events each year, the first of which is hosted by the Museum of Flight. The goal is to reach underrepresented youth of color across the state and inspire them to dream bigger about the future.
“Many of these kids don’t have a lot,” says Capt. Ron Limes, an Alaska Airlines pilot and the program’s volunteer chairman. “They don’t yet know what’s possible because they haven’t been exposed to it,” says Limes. “If we can expose them to the bigness of what life can be, that’s the goal. We’re here to break down the barrier between desire and achievement.”
While the target audience is underserved children of color, the program doesn’t turn anyone away. All students have to do is sign up, and if they’re willing to commit to the work and the time, they’ll enjoy up to three years of STEM activities and mentorship – for free.
Volunteer pilots, flight attendants and flight simulator engineers walked among them, clad in full uniform. Many of the volunteers are also people of color, who believe in the importance of giving children mentors to look up to who look like them.
In addition to STEM subjects and career mentoring, the program also enforces strict behavior standards: no disrespect, no electronic devices, hard work. Limes made a point Saturday to stop and introduce himself to each scholar, asking their names and what they’re into before transitioning into a little friendly interrogation.
Limes has been involved with the program since the beginning, when he was invited to volunteer by a fellow Alaska pilot. Like many of Alaska’s community outreach programs, this one began as a grassroots effort – a group of passionate employees began volunteering for a cause they believed in, and invited the company to join in as a partner. Over the years, Alaska has contributed more than $150,000, and supported the employee volunteers who keep it running.
https://news.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/michael-p-anderson-program/
Diversity, Captain Ron Limes, pilots, volunteers, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), Limes, youth programs, Museum of Flight, MOFCataloged By
Susan EwbankCreated By
Susan EwbankCreate Date
November 2, 2026Updated By
Susan EwbankUpdate Date
November 3, 2026