Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park was officially dedicated on April 29, 1995, after planning that began in 1989 as a joint collaboration of the Ron McNair Committee, the City of Lake City, and the Lake City Library Board. Construction of a monument with a Scroll of Honor was completed in 1994, a bronze statue of Ronald was completed in 1995, and a platform for both the wall monument and statue was constructed in 1995. Later developments included the addition of the park identification sign in 1998 and the relocation of his tomb to a permanent site in the park in 2004; his original burial site had been five miles west of Lake City in Rest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. In 2004, the Mausoleum and Mastaba with an eternal flame was dedicated, bringing together physical reminders of the achievements and values of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, and the final project was planned as the construction of the Space Museum and Learning Center. Ronald was born on October 21, 1950, and his talents, determination, and drive were recognized early, with his family encouraging his determination and stressing the value of education and a strong faith in God. He became known as an exemplary family man and an exceptional achiever. He graduated from Carver High School in Lake City, South Carolina, in 1967, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1976, and later received honorary doctorates from North Carolina A&T State University in 1978, Morris College in 1980, and the University of South Carolina in 1984. With these credentials and honors, he was prepared for the challenge of NASA, was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978, and flew his first mission on STS-41B in February 1984.