This year, Cal Poly Commencement was a joyful family affair for astronaut and Navy Capt. Victor Glover (General Engineering ‘99).  

The alumnus, who accepted an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the College of Engineering ceremony on June 15, celebrated his wife Dionna, a child development major, and eldest daughter and biological sciences major Genesis as they walked across the stage at the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics ceremony the day before.  

“I challenge you to find a family that is more Cal Poly Proud than we are,” Glover said during his remarks on the commencement stage, noting that two of his younger daughters are current Cal Poly students. “ We have been so blessed on this journey. Thank you to Cal Poly for continuing to provide opportunities for us to serve the Cal Poly community as mentors, advisors, coaches, and now extremely proud Cal Poly parents.” 

Glover, a veteran naval aviator and decorated test pilot, was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013. He piloted the historic SpaceX Crew-1 mission aboard Resilience in 2020 and made history as the first Black astronaut to live on the International Space Station as part of a long-duration mission. Glover spent 168 days aboard the ISS, where he also recorded a brief keynote address for Cal Poly’s winter commencement that year. 

In 2023, Glover was named pilot of NASA’s planned Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight around the moon in over 50 years.   

 “I am extremely grateful and humbled to be honored with this degree today, and I gratefully honor God for this amazing journey,” Glover said in his commencement speech.  

“Mustangs to the Moon!”