Lynn Page (’86, ’89) earned three degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, but her defining connection with the university was not any of those graduations. Little did she know that 35 years later, in an unexpected role, a space mission would reconnect her with Embry-Riddle and Eagle astronauts.
Today, Page, CFRE, serves as vice president of Program Strategy and Development at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2021, she worked closely with the Inspiration4 crew on a mission that raised over $250 million for St. Jude. Now, she celebrates the Polaris Dawn mission, the first of three in the Polaris Program, which continues to raise funds and awareness for the hospital.
As the Polaris Dawn is scheduled to launch no earlier than Tuesday, Aug. 27, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, alumnus Jared Isaacman (’11) commands the four-person crew that is set to make history with the first civilian spacewalk.
Throughout the preparation for the mission, the civilian astronauts – Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon – have visited St. Jude sites across the world and lent their fame to supporting children’s medical research.
“Inspiration4 raised funds to help St. Jude provide access to better care,” Page says. “The Polaris Dawn crew will test Starlink in space, a technology that will connect more people globally.”
Last year, five St. Jude Global partners received Starlink satellites to benefit their hospitals and foundations, continuing efforts to provide access to improved care. SpaceX’s Starlink, powered by a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit, offers high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to areas where access has been unreliable, expensive or nonexistent. This connectivity opens up essential online services and resources for rural and underserved communities.
At first glance, there might not seem to be an obvious connection between three aviation-focused degrees, 20 years in the United States Air Force, and an executive role with a nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. Page’s career is a testament to the power of family, aerospace and service.
Dreams of Flight Evolve
Joining the military was her best option to afford an education. “I was one of five girls growing up in a small town in Florida, and my father was a Marine. I joined the United States Air Force at 17,” she recalls.
“I was one of five girls growing up in a small town in Florida, and my father was a Marine. I joined the United States Air Force at 17.”
– Lynn Page (’86, ’89)
Though she had aspired to fly, an astigmatism disqualified her. Nevertheless, she went on to serve as an officer with diverse responsibilities, including personnel management, special assignments, a role on the presidential inaugural committee, and positions such as executive officer to the base commander and Associate Athletic Director at the United States Air Force Academy. She built on her aviation foundation with a Master of Science in Aviation Management in 1989 and an Associate of Science degree in aviation management and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with aviation applications, both in 1986.
As she neared 20 years of service, her young son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Page, who had already been involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation due to her sister’s diagnosis at age 9, found her passion for nonprofit work deepening. In 2004, the foundation recruited her to become a branch manager, leading to a 14-year tenure that culminated in her role as national director of signature events. This experience prepared her well for her move to ALSAC in 2018 as a vice president for program strategy and development.
Throughout the years, she maintained connections with old friends from the Air Force and kept her aviation skills sharp, which would prove crucial as her life shifted towards organizing special events for a space mission that blended technological innovation with values of leadership, hope, generosity, and prosperity.
The all-civilian crew that orbited Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft in September 2021 was commanded by Jared Isaacman (’11), flying with Chris Sembroski (’07, ’23), Hayley Arceneaux and Dr. Sian Proctor.
When Jared Isaacman shared his vision for Inspiration4, with its potential to benefit St. Jude, Page immediately recognized the opportunity. The mission wasn’t just about technological achievements — it embodied the core values that St. Jude stands for. Despite the unpredictable nature of space launches, Page’s extensive experience in organizing high-profile events was instrumental in reaching the mission’s fundraising goals.
Her collaboration with Isaacman and Sembroski has only strengthened over time. “I think Chris and Jared think they work here,” she jokes, reflecting on the deep bonds formed through their shared mission.
A New Dawn, a Continuing Mission
Polaris Dawn is the first in a series of three missions under the Polaris Program, continuing the relationship with St. Jude as the charity beneficiary, with an even stronger focus on research in space. Embry-Riddle students are contributing significantly to this mission by developing a multi-camera system that will capture video of the first commercial spacewalk.
The Polaris Dawn mission also brings Embry-Riddle students and researchers to the forefront of space-based research, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Their projects include experiments on the effects of microgravity on cellular processes, potentially unveiling new approaches to cancer treatment. They’re also working on life support systems designed for long-duration spaceflights and developing new radiation shielding materials to protect astronauts on future deep-space missions.
This mission, led by an Eagle, with support from Embry-Riddle students, is brought full circle with Page’s work in making the mission have impact on Earth.
Although Page didn’t achieve her childhood dream of becoming a pilot, she finds consolation in her close association with humanitarian crew members.
“I have asked Polaris Dawn Mission Pilot, Scott ‘Kidd’ Poteet, if we might smuggle an additional 135-pound payload onboard,” she quips.
Page remains grateful for her journey, attributing her dual career success — first in the military and now in nonprofit leadership — to the skills she developed at Embry-Riddle. “I had a 20-year career I loved in the military, followed by another full career I love, working with nonprofits,” Page says. “I consider it all a gift made possible thanks to the skills I developed at Embry-Riddle.”