Millsaps College has produced countless successful alumni, but few have their sights set as high as Spencer Wingfield, Class of 2021. Now working on NASA’s groundbreaking Artemis program, Wingfield’s journey from Millsaps to the launch pads of Kennedy Space Center is a testament to the power of a well-rounded education and unwavering determination.
A Legacy of Learning
For Wingfield, the path to Millsaps was paved with family history. “The first reason I chose Millsaps was because my mom went here,” he recalls, referring to Angela Wingfield, Class of ’94. But it wasn’t just legacy status that drew him to the college. Millsaps’ pre-engineering program, offering a unique path to complete Applied Math and Engineering degrees simultaneously, sealed the deal for the aspiring aerospace engineer.
Building a Foundation
While Wingfield’s time at Millsaps was relatively brief—he transferred to Auburn University in May 2021 to focus on Aerospace Engineering—the impact of his liberal arts education was profound and lasting. “Millsaps prepared me for my further academic endeavors by helping me develop my writing and communication skills,” Wingfield explains. The intense research and thoughtful delivery required for his papers at Millsaps laid a strong foundation for the technical writing he would later encounter in his engineering career.
Dr. Emlee Nicholson, the pre-engineering advisor during Wingfield’s time at Millsaps, played a crucial role in shaping his academic path. “I was constantly in her office talking through the specifics of the program and my schedule to ensure that everything would line up,” Wingfield remembers. Similarly, Ms. Tracy Sullivan, who taught him Calculus II and III, nurtured his interest in the space program and even alerted him to NASA employment opportunities.
Beyond the Classroom
Wingfield’s Millsaps experience wasn’t confined to academics. He credits the college with teaching him “how to be an effective team member” through group projects and extracurricular activities. This skill has proven invaluable in his current role at NASA, where collaboration is key to mission success.
Spencer with Merritt Jones (Class of ’62) following their 2019 Homecoming presentation on spaceflight.
His favorite memory from Millsaps illustrates the diverse experiences the college offers. During Homecoming weekend 2019, Wingfield found himself juggling performances with the Jazz Band, hosting a fraternity tailgate, giving a presentation on spaceflight alongside Millsaps alum, Merritt Jones (Class of ’62) and touring the James Observatory. “It was a long, fun two days, but that is really when I started hitting my stride at Millsaps,” he reflects.
Reaching for the Stars
Today, Wingfield’s dreams of working in the space industry have become a reality. As a Recording and Playback Subsystem Operations Engineer for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, he plays a crucial role in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and pave the way for Mars exploration.
“Without overstating things, it means the world to me to be out here at this critical juncture for space exploration!” Wingfield enthuses. His day-to-day work involves supporting test operations, completing data requests and undergoing specialized training. On special occasions, he even gets to don a hard hat and work on the launch pad next to the massive Space Launch System rocket.
The excitement in Wingfield’s voice is palpable as he describes his role in this historic endeavor. “Now I have a badge and am one of the thousands of people who are tasked with making all this possible, all the while watching rocket launches from the iconic Launch Control Center,” he says, barely containing his enthusiasm.
The Millsaps Advantage
Wingfield’s journey from Millsaps to NASA exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education in preparing students for highly technical fields. The writing skills he honed at Millsaps have proven invaluable in his engineering career. “I credit my skills as a technical writer to my writing experience which started at Millsaps,” he states, emphasizing the importance of clarity and concision in engineering communication.
Spencer and his girlfriend, Haley Knudson (’21), enjoying time in the Bowl.
Moreover, the breadth of experiences offered at Millsaps—from Mock Trial to Jazz Band to Model U.N.—helped shape Wingfield into a well-rounded professional. His advice to current Millsaps students reflects this: “Put yourself out there, both personally and professionally, to help refine who you want to be and what you want to do.”
The Journey Continues
For Wingfield, working on the Artemis program is just the beginning. His career aspirations are as lofty as the rockets he helps launch. “I want to become the best engineer I can be, which will hopefully lead to becoming a chief engineer working on launch vehicles or spacecraft,” he shares. But even that isn’t the limit of his ambitions. “Beyond that, I will continue to pursue my lifelong goal of becoming an astronaut,” he adds, acknowledging the hard work ahead but buoyed by the increasing opportunities in human spaceflight.
From the classrooms of Millsaps to the launch control center at Kennedy Space Center, Spencer Wingfield’s journey is an inspiring reminder of the heights that can be reached with a solid educational foundation, diverse experiences and an unwavering passion. As NASA prepares to send humans back to the moon and beyond, it’s clear that Millsaps College has played a crucial role in launching at least one career that’s truly out of this world.