One of the graduation ceremony speeches for University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering class of 2014 came from outer space as a prerecorded message from astronaut alumnus Rick Mastracchio, who is currently aboard the International Space Station.

"I could not be there with you on this big day but I wanted to pass on my congratulations to the 2014 school of engineering graduating class." [Rick Mastracchio]

One of the graduation ceremony speeches for University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering class of 2014 came from outer space as a prerecorded message from astronaut alumnus Rick Mastracchio, who is currently aboard the International Space Station.

Four hundred graduates, along with around five thousand of their friends, family, teachers, and school administrators were in attendance at the graduation ceremony that included Mastracchio’s speech.

Mastracchio spoke about his long journey to becoming an astronaut after nine years of rejected applications.

"You become an astronaut the same way you accomplish any goal – through hard work and perseverance. Everyone has goals, dreams and wishes, but not everybody wants to do the daily work it takes to reach their goals. Let’s face it , big dreams and lofty goals take hard work and long hours to achieve." [Mastracchio]

Mastracchio is scheduled to return home next week on a Russian spacecraft after spending six months on the International Space Station.