FAIRMONT, W.Va. — On September 5, 2019, Jesse E. White, NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Education Specialist was honored with an Exceptional Service Medal presented to him at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) by the acting director for the center, George Morrow, for his outstanding efforts supporting the NASA agency Education Vision “To advance high quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education using NASA’s unique capabilities.”
The Exceptional Service Medal is one of NASA’s most prestigious honor awards, which is approved by the Administrator, and presented to a small number of carefully selected individuals who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the Agency’s mission. This particular award is presented to someone who “has proven significant sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvement in engineering, aeronautics, space flight, administration, support, or space-related endeavors which contribute to NASA programs.”
Mr. White exemplifies the award qualities by pursuing the goal of ensuring that students are inspired by NASA’s mission. He made (and continues to make) a substantial impact on the students of the state of West Virginia and other states through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education outreach activities performed at hundreds of elementary and middle schools within West Virginia, and by the guidance and inspiration he provides to high school and college interns as the lead of NASA IV&V Program’s Internship Program. Mr. White has performed student education outreach since he was hired by NASA’s Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Program 12 years ago, visiting over 250 schools and impacting over 35,000 students since FY14. As a result of these onsite visits, Mr. White has received hundreds of handwritten letters and cards from students and educators, citing the multi-level impact of his presentations. Mr. White’s positive impact on the students of West Virginia will be felt throughout the state, as well as the agency, for decades to come.
“It is an enormous privilege and opportunity to visit the great students, educators, and communities across West Virginia with the goal of encouraging them to consider ways they can serve in their areas of influence as well as how to participate in NASA’s unique missions and opportunities both now and in the future. Being a West Virginia native myself, I find in myself a deepening respect and love for the peoples of West Virginia with each visit across our mountains, farmlands, and communities due to their willingness to work for improved life conditions for their children. I am honored to serve alongside all the educators, administrators and staff who daily strive to provide a better tomorrow for their students.” – Jess White
For more information about NASA’s IV&V Program, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ivv
For questions or interview inquiries, please contact Katie Parker at 304-367-8273 (work),
or send an email to katrina.n.parker@nasa.gov.