25 in '25 – Lincoln Honors Ed Dwight, Sculptor of Soldiers’ Memorial, Oldest Person to Travel to Space

As Lincoln University of Missouri continues rolling out "25 in '25" points of pride to build on last year's momentum and keep propelling the University to future success, the University is paying tribute to the sculptor of Lincoln's Soldiers' Memorial - and the oldest person to travel to space - Ed Dwight.

This past spring, at 90 years old, Dwight became the oldest person ever to journey into space. Before he was a sculptor, Dwight was an Air Force pilot who was nominated as a candidate for NASA's early astronaut corps in 1961, but he was not selected for the 1963 class, which included astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. NASA did not select Black astronauts until 1978, and in 1983, Guion Bluford became the first African American in space.

Six decades later, Dwight finally realized his dream of space travel. His seat was partially sponsored by Space for Humanity, a Denver-based nonprofit.

Dwight was commissioned by Lincoln University in 2005 to create the Soldiers' Memorial Plaza, which was completed by 2007. Standing at 18 feet tall, the sculpture captures the transformation of soldiers from the 62nd and 65th regiments into students, serving as a poignant tribute on the LU campus to those whose sacrifices paved the way for future generations.

"Through his storied 91 years, Ed Dwight has broken down barriers and set a standard of excellence that instills pride throughout the Lincoln University community," said Lincoln University President Dr. John Moseley. "On top of his lifetime of astonishing achievements, the memorial to Lincoln's history which he sculpted continues to inspire today."

Dwight is a Kansas City, Kansas native, whose early interests in mechanics led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Kansas City Junior College with an engineering degree in 1953. Rising to the rank of captain, he later transitioned to various roles in Denver before pursuing his passion for sculpting.

In addition to the Soldiers' Memorial Plaza, Dwight's artistic legacy includes sculptures of Frederick Douglass, the Underground Railroad, Denmark Vesey and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., each piece a testament to his commitment to honoring Black history.

Below, watch the Blue Origin feature video on Ed Dwight.

Stay tuned for the rest of the month with more of Lincoln's 25 in '25