Laurel Clark remembered by Madison community

Laurel Clark, one of the seven astronauts lost in the Feb. 1 Columbia disaster, was remembered fondly at a gathering held in the Wisconsin Union Theater on March 4. Clark received a bachelor of science degree in zoology from UW–Madison in 1983 and graduated from the UW Medical School in 1987.

Several speakers shared their thoughts on Clark and her accomplishments.

Jessica Abba, payload training and operations engineer at the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics, recounted her interactions with the astronaut over the past several years. Abba worked on the two experiments that Clark took part in during her time in space.

Clark’s cousin Eric Liljequist shared personal memories of family outings, as well as e-mail from Clark’s mother that described the special moments she shared with her daughter over the years.

Other speakers included Linda Bellman of the Madison City Council and Paula Bonner, executive director of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

Sam Hofman, a student at the UW Medical School, read aloud from the last e-mail that Clark sent to her friends and family. In the message, she thanked everyone who supported her many adventures during her lifetime and noted that this particular journey was “one to beat all.”