NC State honors astronaut Christina Koch with campus homecoming, rename building

RALEIGH, N.C. -- NC State University welcomed NASA astronaut and three-time alum Christina Koch back to campus Monday for a celebration marking her historic Artemis II mission and the renaming of Engineering Building II as Christina Hammock Koch Hall.

Koch is back in the state for a two-day celebration following her historic role as a mission specialist on NASA's Artemis II mission earlier this year.

More than 1,200 students, alumni and faculty gathered for the event in Koch's first public visit to campus since becoming the first woman to travel around the moon. The university dubbed the celebration "Around the Moon and Pack Again."

Chancellor Kevin Howell announced the building's new name during the ceremony. "I am delighted as Chancellor to announce that Engineering Building Two will henceforth be known as Koch Hall," he said.

Koch, who earned degrees in physics and electrical engineering from NC State, reflected on her time as a student. "When I walked into that classroom, I wasn't Astronaut Christina Koch. I likely had ripped jeans and pink hair," Koch said. She added that naming a building carries meaning. "I do know that what an institution chooses to name things is a commitment to values."

In 2013, Koch spent nearly a year in orbit during a previous mission, an accomplishment Howell highlighted. "For nearly one year, our beloved state of North Carolina rolled past her window more than 5,000 times," she said.

Families and students said Koch's achievements inspire them. "I think she's really cool and that she inspires a lot of people," said young student Alexandra Bigler. Her mother, Rebecca Bigler, called the moment "such history for humanity."

Koch also acknowledged the women who paved the way for her career. "We named our spacecraft Integrity, and then we had to go fly it like we meant it," she said.

The celebration included performances from the NC State band, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Wuf, and the release of a limited-edition Howling Cow ice cream flavor, "Howl at the Moon," honoring Koch's lunar journey.

Students said seeing an alum reach such heights motivates them. "I was so absolutely amazed and so proud of the Wolfpack for having somebody so brave," said sophomore Sabine Spaulding.

Koch will remain on campus Tuesday for a student Q&A and discussions on wellness, grit and self-trust as the university's new semester has already officially begun.

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