#Boilermaker astronaut Eugene Cernan (BSEE ’56) was a compelling advocate for the U.S. space program. His charisma and polished speaking allowed him to form warm bonds with politicians, celebrities and others with the ability to influence public opinion. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the #Apollo17 mission – where Cernan became the most recent person to set foot on the lunar surface – we share examples of the personal correspondence between Cernan and some of these high-profile individuals. These letters come from the “Eugene A. Cernan Papers, 1934-2014,” a treasure trove of documents and personal effects that Cernan donated to PurdueArchives. They exemplify Cernan’s friendly relationships with a range of historical figures, including presidents like Ronald Reagan, comedian Don Rickles and actor John Wayne. Scroll through this set of telegrams and letters to see some of the high-profile individuals who corresponded with this #Purdue legend before and after his stint on th...