Jax State Joins Community Leaders in Honoring Challenger Legacy and Advancing STEAM Education

01/29/2026

RAINBOW CITY, Ala. — Jacksonville State University leaders joined educators, community partners, and elected officials on Wednesday as Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and marked key milestones in the development of Alabama’s only Challenger Learning Center. 

The ceremony honored the legacy of the Challenger crew and the educational mission that emerged from tragedy—one rooted in curiosity, exploration, and opportunity. Jacksonville State University participated as a partner in the initiative, reinforcing its commitment to hands-on learning, teacher collaboration, and expanding educational pathways across Northeast Alabama. Also included in the ceremony were the launch of Challenger Center of Northeast Alabama’s website and the launch of its major gift campaign. 

In remarks during the event, Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr., reflected on witnessing the Challenger tragedy as a student and how that moment continues to shape the purpose behind today’s work. 

“I was one of those sixth-grade students gathered in a room watching the explosion, but not really understanding what we were witnessing,” Killingsworth said. “It took time after that to realize what had happened. Although it was a tragedy, it became an educational opportunity that now leads us to this point.” 

President Killingsworth emphasized that the partnership aligns closely with Jax State’s mission to expand opportunity through education, innovation, and engagement. “We believe learning should be active, hands-on, and inspiring,” he said. “That belief is exactly why this partnership with Challenger Learning Center matters so much to us.” 

He noted that Challenger Learning Center brings STEAM education to life by challenging students to think critically, collaborate, and solve real-world problems—skills that mirror the university’s focus and the needs of the region’s workforce. “These are the same skills we emphasize every day at Jax State and the same skills our communities need for the future,” President Killingsworth said. 

President Killingsworth added that Jax State’s role extends well beyond its campus. “At Jacksonville State University, our responsibility goes beyond our campus,” he said. “We are here to serve, to lead, and to help build strong educational pathways across North Alabama and beyond.” 

The partnership, he said, will be strengthened through faculty expertise, student engagement, research support, and collaboration with educators throughout the region. “Our students will gain meaningful applied learning experiences, and educators across our region will benefit from expanded resources and collaboration,” he said. 

Other speakers at the event echoed the importance of partnership and community investment in bringing the Challenger Learning Center to life. Dr. Farrah Hayes, executive director of Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama, thanked Jax State employees and community leaders for their support, calling the occasion “a very big deal for us and for you as well.” 

“This Center exists because a group of leaders believed deeply enough to invest early, advocate boldly, and make history in Northeast Alabama,” Hayes said. 

The program also featured reflections on the Challenger legacy and the responsibility to carry that mission forward through education. Speakers noted that from tragedy emerged a commitment to creating places where students and teachers can “touch the future and grasp the potential of space.” 

A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama’s new website, which will serve as a central gateway for educators, students, and families to explore mission simulations, STEAM programs, camps, and events. The platform expands access to information and resources while reinforcing the Center’s educational mission. 

As President Killingsworth concluded, the partnership is ultimately about inspiring possibility. “When students engage with experiences like those offered through the Challenger Learning Center, they begin to see themselves differently—as problem solvers, innovators, and leaders,” he said. “Jacksonville State University is fully committed to this partnership and to the students it will serve.” 

The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is scheduled to open in 2026 and will serve as a regional hub for immersive STEAM education, honoring the Challenger legacy while preparing future generations for what comes next. 

About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu. 

About the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama 
The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is dedicated to inspiring students through immersive, simulation-based STEM education. As part of the global Challenger Center network, it honors the legacy of the Challenger astronauts by transforming tragedy into purpose and opportunity for future generations.