Science of Opportunity
Donald R. Pettit

Selected for the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1996, Donald R. Pettit, B.S. Chemical Engineering ʼ78, is a veteran of three spaceflights, including a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station. Pettit is celebrated for his contributions to the space program as a staff scientist and flight engineer — not the least of which is his invention of the zero-gravity coffee cup.

Professor Octave Levenspiel inspired generations of engineering students throughout his long career. Sponsored by the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering, the Octave Levenspiel Distinguished Lecture Series continues his legacy, promoting thought-provoking discussion on the grand challenges in science and engineering.