Ivanka Trump, Gov. Bevin visit MSU Space Science Center

Due to the unique programs at MSU’s Space Science Center, the facility has hosted officials ranging from NASA administrators to local and state lawmakers to former U.S. presidents. On Friday, a family member and adviser from President Donald Trump’s administration paid the center a visit. 

Ivanka Trump, President Trump’s daughter and adviser to his administration, came to the Space Science Center for a tour this afternoon (Friday, Oct. 26), along with Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. It was the last of three stops made at Eastern Kentucky training centers that also included the eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute in Paintsville and the Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg.  

Her visit to MSU primarily focused on Kentucky’s growing aerospace industry. In addition to touring the Space Science Center and speaking with students from MSU’s Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, Trump expressed her own love of space and the administration’s focus on space exploration. 

“Today, the whole purpose for us was to think about different pathways to the American dream,” Trump said. “When you think about the future of work and you think about the jobs that will be in demand in the future economy, you think about STEM fields and you think about space exploration.” 

“The skills are here, the minds are here, the workforce is here,” Gov. Bevin said. “This is what we are striving for. How can we tap into a workforce that is begging and waiting for a job; to tap into the workforce of the 21st century.” 

The Space Science Center is home to one of only five space science programs in the country and has gained recognition in aviation, aerospace and space science thanks in part to research in nanosatellite technologies. MSU has been involved in the launch of five NASA-funded satellites: CXBN, CXBN-2, Lunar ICEcube, Ky-Sat 2 and the DM-7 Flight Demonstration. 

For more information on MSU’s Department of Earth and Space Science, call 606-783-2381, email eass@moreheadstate.edu or visit www.moreheadstate.edu/eass.
 

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Pictured above right: Ivanka Trump addresses the crowd.

Pictured above left (L-R): Joe Craft (president of Alliance Resource Partners and benefactor of MSU's Craft Academy), Ivanka Trump and Dr. Ben Malphrus (executive director of MSU's Space Science Center)