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CORVALLIS - When NASA astronaut Donald Pettit visits Oregon State University on Oct. 30 he will be returning to his alma mater, where in 1978 he earned a degree in chemical engineering and began a career that has taken him farther than most human beings can imagine - into space and back again.

In addition to other appearances, Pettit will make a presentation called "An Astronaut Comes Home." It will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center, and is free and open to the public.

Pettit, who last May safely returned to Earth aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft after spending almost six months aboard the international space station, has become one of NASA's most well-traveled, and well-known, astronauts. And one of OSU's most famous engineering alumni.

Initially a backup crewmember, Pettit was tapped for the trip last fall when crewmember Don Thomas was medically disqualified. While aboard the ISS, Pettit served as the flight engineer and science officer of the three-man Expedition-6 crew, which included American Ken Bowersox and Russian cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin.

During his space stay Pettit performed two space walks, something he had not expected to do. But when Budarin was unable to participate, NASA tagged Pettit for the space walks, which astronauts agree are one of the most exhilarating experiences in space.

While in space, Pettit didn't forget his ties to the engineering education he received at OSU. He requested a long-distance reunion via a live video link with his former chemical engineering professors Octave Levenspiel and Goran Jovanovic. Both professors saw early on that this bright young engineering student was bound to go far.

"We're very proud of Don," said Jovanovic. "This is a remarkable accomplishment for him, and it's wonderful for our students to witness his success as an engineer in space."

During his presentation, Pettit will talk about his experiences aboard the space station, what it was like performing science experiments in space, and answer questions from students. The event will include a short presentation by OSU President Ed Ray, who will present Pettit with OSU's Distinguished Service Award. The award was given to Pettit last spring, but due to NASA's travel restrictions following space flight, Pettit could not attend graduation ceremonies to pick up the award in person.

This will be Pettit's first public presentation at OSU since his return to Earth. The day before, he will be at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland to talk with school students and give a public lecture. The OSU College of Engineering is expecting a large crowd for the OSU appearance because seating at the OMSI event is limited.

"We've invited school students and others from all across Oregon to help us welcome Don back to Oregon and to his alma mater, OSU," said Skip Rochefort, a professor in the OSU Department of Chemical Engineering and a friend of Pettit's. The general public is also welcome, and parking fees in the pay lots near LaSells Stewart Center have been waived for the event.

For more information, visit the OSU College of Engineering at http://engr.oregonstate.edu.