Peru, Nebraska - Astronaut Clayton Anderson will be featured as a Distinguished Speaker at Peru State College on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC). The title of his address is “Why I am the Ordinary Astronaut.” The event is free and open to the public.

Born in Omaha and raised in Ashland, Anderson currently resides near Houston, Texas with his family. Recently retired, after a stellar 30-year career with NASA, he accumulated 167 days in space while living onboard the International Space Station for over five months in 2007. He also served as a Mission Specialist with the Space Shuttle 131 crew in 2010.

Clayton Anderson

Clayton Anderson

Anderson has spoken throughout the Midwest and the United States sharing his story of perseverance, patience and faith with audiences of all ages and from all walks of life. His message is delivered with humor and honesty and the personable style of a storyteller who once dreamed of the heavens and who believes that living life the right way can position oneself to achieve those dreams with no regrets.

Clayton’s remarkable career has been chronicled in a documentary by Nebraska Educational Television entitled, “Homemade Astronaut.” He has appeared on the History Channel with Larry the Cable Guy’s “Only in America”, the Travel Channel with Kevin Connolly in “Armed and Ready” and with Don Wildman in “Off Limits.” His newly released book, "The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut" can be found on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

###