BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A record-setting private astronaut who was nominated by President Trump to head NASA will kick off a new Lehigh University speaker series.
Billionaire businessman Jared Isaacman, whose nomination Trump later withdrew, will be the inaugural guest for Lehigh’s new Future Makers Speaker Series.
The event, at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 in Zoellner Arts Center's Baker Hall, will be free and open to the public, but registration is required by Oct. 7.
"Lehigh seeks to bring to campus individuals recognized as innovators and disruptors, those whose work is actively shaping the future of critical industries, disciplines and sectors of society."Lehigh University news release
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Nathan Urban and Isaacman will participate in a discussion, followed by a brief Q&A with the audience.
The Future Makers Speaker Series will "provide the community with a window into the early stages of important societal, economic and industry changes," Lehigh said in a release.
"Lehigh seeks to bring to campus individuals recognized as innovators and disruptors, those whose work is actively shaping the future of critical industries, disciplines and sectors of society.
"Speakers for this series will ideally be people who are creating disruption through new technologies, new innovations and new ideas."
Began businesses at 16
Isaacman founded commerce technology company Shift4 and military training company Draken International.
"As a visionary entrepreneur and transformative business leader, Isaacman is the type of guest Lehigh envisions hosting for additional Future Makers Speaker Series events," the Lehigh release says.
At 16, Isaacman founded United Bank Card, which evolved into Shift4, and remains its executive chairman.
Under his leadership, Shift4 has grown into a global leader in integrated payment processing solutions that employs more than 6,000 and processes more than $250 billion in payments for more than 200,000 customers worldwide.
And in 2012, Isaacman co-founded Draken International, a provider of tactical aviation services for all branches of the U.S. Military, Department of Defense and allied militaries.
He sold the company in 2019 to Blackstone.
NASA nomination, withdrawal
In 2024, he was nominated by Trump to serve as NASA Administrator, underwent a confirmation hearing in April, and was approved by the Senate committee.
But Trump withdrew Isaacman's nomination in May, citing "prior associations" that included political donations to Democratic candidates.
As a pilot, Isaacman has more than 7,500 hours in aircraft including commercial and fighter jets.
In 2021, Isaacman commanded Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit.Lehigh University release
In 2021, he commanded Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit.
Last year, he commanded Polaris Dawn, a five-day mission to space in which he reached the highest Earth orbit ever flown and conducted the first commercial spacewalk.
Isaacman holds several world records, including one for a speed-around-the-world flight, which he used to raise $250 million and awareness for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
He also formed the Isaacman Foundation to raise awareness and support for a range of initiatives and organizations, including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Space Camp, Guthrie Clinic, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the DaVinci Science Center, St. Luke’s Pediatric Emergency Room, The National Coast Guard Museum and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
