Fifty-six scientists, engineers, and management specialists are the recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology. AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its June 2009 graduation ceremony Thursday, 18 June, in the institute’s Kenney Auditorium. The graduating class was awarded 55 master’s degrees and one doctorate. Brig. Gen. Paula G. Thornhill, AFIT Commandant, delivered the commencement address.

Air Force officers composed the majority of the Class of June 2009; however, the Institute also graduated two Navy officers, one Air Force enlisted, and five civilians, along with one international student from Germany. Three additional Navy officers will receive their master's degrees upon completion of the Naval Test Pilot School curriculum. Sixteen of the Air Force officers were part of AFIT’s Air Mobility Program in Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Upon graduation, most AFIT students will fill technical positions requiring advanced academic degrees in their respective fields of study from across the Department of Defense.

Several students were recognized for their exemplary performance during their graduate studies. In recognition of his exceptional scholarship and high qualities of character, initiative, and leadership, Maj. Chris Lanier was the recipient of the Mervin E. Gross Award, named in honor of Brig. Gen. Mervin E. Gross, first commandant of the institute. The Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr. Award, named in honor of Lt. Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr., member of the institute’s first graduating class and father of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, was presented to Maj. Tricia Van Den Top for demonstrating strong personal leadership and accomplishing AFIT’s education objectives in an outstanding manner. Finally, in recognition of his significant contribution toward strengthening the nation’s industrial defense base, Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Green was awarded the Louis F. Polk Award, named in honor of Mr. Louis F. Polk, a Dayton industrialist, recognized international authority on metrology, and a lifetime director of the American Defense Preparedness Association.

Congratulations to AFIT’s graduating class of June 2009!

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Master of Science

• Capt. Juan M. Carlos-Gonzalez
• Capt. Richard S. Seymour
• Senior Master Sgt. Michael T. Woelfle

Master of Science Cyber Warfare

• Maj. Kevin R. Beeker
• Maj. Michael B. Birdwell *
• Maj. Matthew P. Larkowski
• Maj. Sherry B. Murphy
• Maj. Philip D. Principi

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS

Master of Science

• Ms. LaTosha M. Bell

DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONAL SCIENCES

Master of Science in Logistics

• Maj. Christopher J. Estridge
• Maj. Eric E. Morgan
• Maj. Ryan L. Rowe
• Maj. Trace B. Steyaert

Master of Science in Operations Analysis

• Maj. Steven A. Fino *
• Maj. Matthew Liljenstolpe
• Maj. Andrew J. Lipina
• Maj. Brian D. Pardee
• Maj. Daniel P. Walls

DEPARTMENT OF SYSTEMS AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

Master of Science

• Maj. John A. Ferko
• Mr. Brian D. McKellar
• Lt. Col. Jan Von Der Felsen (Germany)

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

• Maj. Timothy J. Bode
• Maj. Lee E. Chase
• Maj. Larry D. Gunn
• Maj. Darryl L. Insley

DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

Master of Science

• First Lt. MacKenzie J. Collatz
• Mr. Joseph R. Simmons *

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

• Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas S. Green (US Navy) *
• Capt. Dell T. Olmstead

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering

• Lt. Cmdr. Christopher M. Sylvester (US Navy)

IN ABSENTIA

Master of Science

• First Lt. Jeremiah N. Betz

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

• Mr. Tyler F. Gruters

Master of Science in Logistics

• Maj. Julie S. Newlin
• Maj. Tricia A. Van Den Top

Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering

• Capt. Julio N. Villafuerte

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

• Capt. Bolanle L. Akinlemibola

Doctor of Philosophy

• Mr. Aaron M. McClung

AIR MOBILITY PROGRAM

Master of Science in Logistics

• Maj. James Burgess
• Maj. David Hauck
• Maj. Christopher Lanier *
• Maj. Scott Lew
• Maj. Barton Lux
• Maj. Margaret Martin
• Maj. Ray Matherne
• Maj. David Mazzara
• Maj. Randy Naylor
• Maj. James Nicholson Jr.
• Maj. Patrick O'Brien
• Maj. Kirk Reagan
• Maj. Adam Reiman
• Maj. Francisco Rivera
• Maj. Allison Trinklein
• Maj. Thomas Ulmer *

NAVAL TEST PILOT SCHOOL

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

• Lt. Joseph Adams (US Navy)
• Lt. David Drake (US Navy)
• Lt. Brian Tollefson (US Navy)

* Denotes Distinguished Graduate