June Scobee Rodgers
Scenic City Women’s Network announced June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D, founding chair of the Challenger Center, as its 2025 Lydia Award Nominee during the 2025 Praise! Breakfast.
The prestigious Lydia Award nomination is presented to a woman who demonstrates leadership, dedication, and faithfulness. She is chosen as someone who has exhibited a lifetime of mature Christian faith, positively impacting lives and making a difference in the world around her, and being an Encourager to other Christian working women. This year's Lydia Award nominee will be given to Ms. Scobee Rodgers.
Ms. Scobee Rodgers is the founding chair of the Challenger Center and the widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Richard “Dick” Scobee. She has dedicated her time and energy to continuing the crew’s educational mission. She founded the Challenger Center for Space Science Education to foster a new generation of “star challengers” – young people who will reach for the stars no matter their circumstances. Today, the Challenger Learning Centers around the globe engage hundreds of thousands of students and tens of thousands of teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen their knowledge in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
An active and prominent leader in education, she holds a Ph.D from Texas A&M University and an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Leicester, England. She has been a classroom teacher and university professor, served as a consultant to local, state and federal education agencies, and become a nationally recognized advocate for the advancement of science and math education.
While best known for her tireless efforts on behalf of Challenger Center, Ms. Scobee Rodgers has also gained attention for her work as an author. “Silver Linings: My Life Before and After the Challenger 7” is the expanded story of her book, “Silver Linings: Triumph of the Challenger 7” that was first published in 1996. It is a coming-of-age story that deals with issues like personal triumph and dreams to soar above it.
Ms. Scobee Rodgers has been nationally recognized and honored with countless awards during her professional career, including:
? National Eagle Award
? Women’s International Center’s Living Legacy Award
? Spirit of Volunteerism
? National Space Club Educator Award
? National Award for Excellence in Leadership
? Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award
? Apollo 50th Education Award
She has appeared on numerous national television news and talk shows, including CNN, Dateline NBC, Fox News, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The O’Reilly Factor and 60 Minutes. Her story was featured in various publications, including Guideposts, LIFE Magazine, Southern Living and Woman’s Day.
Ms. Scobee Rodgers was married to retired Lt. Gen. Don Rodgers (recently deceased), and together they have three adult children. She attends First Centenary Methodist and serves as a trustee on the National Medal of Honor Board. Originally from Texas, she and her siblings experienced many hardships that led to foster care placements and multiple relocations throughout her childhood. But the one thing that always stayed with her was a small Bible her mother gave her at the age of eight. And even with her spotty education as a child and her lack of a stable home environment, she has often said, “I knew God would take care of me and I would become a teacher one day,” her dream job. Her life did change significantly after she met, and married Dick Scobee, and the rest is history.
“We are honored to have June as our 2025 Lydia Award recipient as her global commitment to education, discovery and leadership embody the characteristics of Lydia,” said Renee Nail, executive director of SCWN.
About 2025 Praise! Breakfast
When: March 27, 2025, from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. Where: Chattanooga Convention Center (1 Carter Plaza in Chattanooga)
Who: Featuring Christian Actress, Author and Director Shari Rigby, and 2025 Lydia Award Nominee June Scobee Rodgers, Ph.D
Registration Link: https://www.scwn.org/events/praise-breakfast