HASTINGS, Neb. – Clayton Anderson is the first and still only astronaut from Nebraska. But he almost wasn’t, more than a dozen times.

"It took me 15 years and 15 tries to get selected." said Anderson.

From the age of 24 in 1983, to 38 in 1997, every year, the answer was no.

"I claimed the record of 14 rejections, and getting selected the 15th time," said Anderson. "I don't know if that's a true number or not, but I'm going to stick with it because it's pretty cool."

Almost everyone applying to any job or any position would probably give up after just a few tries, but Anderson persevered and was finally selected in 1998 to become an astronaut.

This weekend, Anderson is back in Hastings where he graduated college from in 1981 with a degree in physics.

He is part of the second annual Sachtleben-Throckmorton Faith & Science Symposium this weekend, and is this year's keynote speaker.

Anderson is spreading the word of faith and science, that he credits with getting him through constant rejection of his dream job as an astronaut as NASA.

"It's all about having faith in what you're doing, being the person you are, having integrity, being honest and transparent. Just moving forward with life," said Anderson. "There are a lot of people that are astronaut hopefuls that if they fail, it crushes them. But you have to have the realistic view that not everybody gets this opportunity, and I'm very blessed to have had it."

That faith and determination led 'Astro Clay' to his first mission on STS-117 to the International Space Station on June 8, 2007.

Over the six years after that, Anderson made six space walks, totaling 167 days in space.

After retiring from NASA in 2013, the 66-year-old Ashland native says he probably won’t headed back to space any time soon, but is hoping someone in the state will.

"I'm disappointed they haven't selected another one yet, I hope they will down the road," said Anderson. "But for now, I'm honored to represent the state and our people."

According to Anderson, he left his mark on the International Space Station quite literally. He says there’s still a big red 'N' that he stashed away on his last mission that has still yet to be found by other astronauts.

The public will have more opportunities to meet Anderson and hear his faith lectures on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings.