As part of the West Fargo Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, A Universe of Stories, the West Fargo Historical Center is hosting a live Skype event with West Fargo High School graduate and former NASA scientist-astronaut Dr. Tony England.

This free event is 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in the East Training Room of West Fargo City Hall (800 Fourth Ave. E., West Fargo) and open to all ages. Children are invited to ask England questions they have about space exploration, NASA and the life of an astronaut. Attendees are encouraged to use the entrance on the north side of the building.

England graduated from West Fargo High School in 1959. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in earth sciences and a master’s in geology and geophysics. He also earned his Ph.D. at MIT.

In 1967, at the age of 25, England became the youngest person selected to join NASA as a scientist-astronaut. He worked on the Apollo 13 and Apollo 16 missions as a scientist. In 1985, after time away from NASA, England was aboard space shuttle Challenger as a member of the STS-51-F (Spacelab 2) mission. England eventually retired from NASA in 1988.

He currently serves as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan. He is also a professor of electrical engineering and computer science and atmospheric, oceanic, and space sciences in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

An exhibit dedicated to England’s journey from West Fargo to NASA is currently on display in the library until mid-August. The display highlights major events in England’s life and career through text, photos and artifacts from the Historical Center’s collection.