Southern University Grad Takes Center Stage in NASA's Historic Artemis II Mission

The excellence of HBCU education is soaring to new heights as Southern University graduate Jeremy Plater plays a critical role in NASA's groundbreaking Artemis II mission, which launched on Wednesday, April 1. This historic mission represents the first crewed lunar flyby in over half a century, and a proud son of Southern University stands at the heart of its success.

Plater serves as a quality assurance specialist at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where he supports Boeing on the space launch system. His responsibilities include ensuring the absolute safety of flight hardware through meticulous oversight of electrical harness wiring and TPS spray foam—critical components that NASA depends on for the rigorous standards required for deep-space travel.

From Baton Rouge to the Stars

Plater's journey from a 17-year-old student on Southern University's Baton Rouge campus to a key NASA contributor exemplifies the "Southern Made" excellence that defines this premier HBCU.

"Shreveport raised me. Southern University made me and Boeing continues to invest in me," Plater said.

The Artemis II mission is a 10-day journey that marks NASA's most significant human space milestone since the Apollo era. Dr. Lealon L. Martin, dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering, praised Plater's achievement as a model for current students, emphasizing that this success underscores the vital role Southern University plays in advancing the work of industry giants like Boeing.

While Southern University's "Human Jukebox" has long made noise on the national stage, the College of Sciences and Engineering is now fueling deep-space exploration and proving that HBCUs remain at the forefront of American innovation.

Plater offered inspiring words for aspiring HBCU students pursuing careers in STEM fields:

"Never count yourselves out. You never know where your journey may lead. You can be the next engineer making history."

As Artemis II continues its historic mission, the HBCU community celebrates a Jaguar who has turned the moon into his reality, demonstrating once again that HBCU excellence knows no bounds—not even the limits of Earth's atmosphere.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.