Dr. Walter Jones, Air Force Institute of Technology chancellor addresses the AFIT audience for the annual “AFIT Chancellor’s Award Ceremony” in April 2026.  The annual award ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of faculty and staff for calendar year 2025.  (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) recently held their annual award ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of faculty and staff for calendar year 2025.

As part of Air University’s broader mission to educate and develop joint warfighters, AFIT provides advanced academic education, professional continuing education and research that prepares officers, enlisted members, civilians and international partners to apply technical expertise in real-world operational environments, supporting more informed and effective decision-making. 

Air Force Association (AFA) Awards

Mr. Jacob Porter, President of the Air and Space Forces Association, Wright Memorial Chapter 212 presented the following AFA Awards to recipients:

Professor Ezra Kotcher Award, Lt. Col. Sean McConville (Graduate School of Engineering and Management (AFIT GSEM))

This award is named in honor or Col. Kotcher, AFIT’s first director and aeronautical engineer that worked on in-flight refueling and directed the development of the X-1 and X-2 planes.  It is given in recognition to the individual who has made a significant, substantive contribution to curriculum or instructional development within AFIT.  Contributions may be, among other things, a student text, manual, or workbook; gaming or simulation exercise; major group problem; symposium; elective course; or research option.

Col. Charles A. Stone Award, Ms. Lorali Herrell (School of Systems and Logistics, AFIT LS)

This award is named in honor of Col. Stone, Dean of AFIT’s School of Systems and Logistics (AFIT LS) from 1962-1966.  Col. Stone was instrumental in the school receiving accreditation to award Master of Science degrees.  It is given in recognition of an individual who has made outstanding contributions to furthering the AFIT mission through new and innovative efforts or approaches involving demonstrated personal leadership.

Gage H. Crocker Outstanding Professor Award, Maj. Daniel Broyles (AFIT GSEM)

This award is named in honor of Col. Crocker, dean of AFIT’s School of Systems and Logistics (AFIT LS) from 1971-1972 and co-author of papers on turbulence associated with blunt body flow.  It is given in recognition of an individual who has made the most significant contribution to AFIT as evidenced through excellence in teaching, research and service in order to maintain the excellence of AFIT’s degree-granting academic programs.

Outstanding Professional Continuing Educator Award, Mr. Gregory Gutterman (AFIT LS)

This award is presented to the individual that made the most significant contribution to AFIT as evidenced through excellence in teaching in order to maintain the excellence of AFIT’s professional continuing education academic programs.

AU’S AFIT CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS

Exceptional Wingman, Maj. Timothy Wolfe (AFIT GSEM)

This award recognizes an AFIT-assigned member who has exemplified what it means to be an exceptional wingman while at AFIT.  The award recognizes teamwork, service before self, and our Air Force culture of respect for, caring for, trust in and supporting one another, while accomplishing our mission.  Further, it recognizes efforts to foster a sense of inclusion and belonging at AFIT.  This award encompasses volunteerism, mentorship and other support systems required to exemplify the tenets of the DoD Creed (faculty and staff).

Mentorship Excellence – Faculty Category, Capt. Charles Dana (School of Strategic Force Studies, AFIT EX)

This award recognizes an AFIT-assigned member who has demonstrated impactful and inclusive mentorship to peers, leaders and followers while at AFIT.  Their mentorship inspires and motivates others, provides equitable access to opportunities and fosters a culturally competent and supportive environment at AFIT to help others thrive in their roles.

Mentorship Excellence – Staff Category, Ms. Cassandraey Baumann

This award recognizes an AFIT-assigned member who has demonstrated impactful and inclusive mentorship to peers, leaders and followers while at AFIT.  Their mentorship inspires and motivates others, provides equitable access to opportunities and fosters a culturally competent and supportive environment at AFIT to help others thrive in their roles.

Innovation Excellence – Team Category, Department of Nuclear Studies Team (AFIT EX)

This award recognizes an AFIT-assigned member who has exemplified the Air Force goal of innovation while at AFIT.  It celebrates “outside-the-box” and forward-thinking of our students, faculty and staff that promotes improved, creative and equitable processes and procedures, cutting-edge technical and educational research, or high impact and novel teaching.

Innovation Excellence – Junior Faculty Category, Lt. Col. Sean McConville (AFIT GSEM)

 This award recognizes an AFIT-assigned member who has exemplified the Air Force goal of innovation while at AFIT.  It celebrates “outside-the-box” and forward-thinking of our students, faculty and staff that promotes improved, creative and equitable processes and procedures, cutting-edge technical and educational research, or high impact and novel teaching.

Innovation Excellence – Senior Faculty Category, Dr. Hengky Chandrahalim (AFIT GSEM)

This award recognizes an AFIT-assigned member who has exemplified the Air Force goal of innovation while at AFIT.  It celebrates “outside-the-box” and forward-thinking of our students, faculty and staff that promotes improved, creative and equitable processes and procedures, cutting-edge technical and educational research, or high impact and novel teaching.

Leadership Excellence – Senior Staff Category, Mr. Eric Meiers (AFIT EX)

This award recognizes and AFIT member who has distinguished themselves above their peers as being exceptional leaders while at AFIT.  And exceptional leader is someone who empowers and inspires others, fosters a sense of belonging, values diverse perspectives, actively listens to all voices, ensures everyone feels heard and respected, demonstrates humility and empathy, continuously seeks to learn from others, and creates an environment where different perspectives are welcomed and collaboration is encouraged to drive innovation and success.  The award seeks to reach beyond the traditional military leadership structure and recognizes AFIT members who have led beyond their assigned team.

Leadership Excellence – Junior Staff Category, Mr. Brian Roberts (AFIT LS)

This award recognizes and AFIT member who has distinguished themselves above their peers as being exceptional leaders while at AFIT.  And exceptional leader is someone who empowers and inspires others, fosters a sense of belonging, values diverse perspectives, actively listens to all voices, ensures everyone feels heard and respected, demonstrates humility and empathy, continuously seeks to learn from others, and creates an environment where different perspectives are welcomed and collaboration is encouraged to drive innovation and success.  The award seeks to reach beyond the traditional military leadership structure and recognizes AFIT members who have led beyond their assigned team.

AU AWARD WINNERS

DAF Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Professional Team of the Year, Department of Nuclear Studies Team (AFIT EXA)

These awards are presented annually to recognize individuals and teams who made the most significant contributions to the Department of the Air Force’s Nuclear Missile and Deterrence Operations.

DAF Analysis – Combat Analyst of the Year, Maj. Andrew Lawrence (AFIT GSEM)

This award recognizes individual Operations Research Analysts for significant analytic contributions to the planning, execution and assessment of operations.

DAF Security Award for Excellence – GS 12/13 Category, Antonio Caserta

This award recognizes significant contributions to, and achievements in support of, command and DAF missions below the MAJ/FLDCOM level with the application of security administration concepts and knowledge spanning more than one security discipline.

DAF A6 Functional Awards for Expeditionary Communications Advancement Officer of the Year, Capt. Alexander Haynie (AFIT LS)

These awards recognize sustained superior performance of USAF military members (officers and enlisted) federal civilian employees, teams and units to advance communications capabilities for Air Force and (or) Department of War (DoW) missions and operations.

AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND (AETC) CIVIL ENGINEER ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Military Airman:  Company Grade Officer (Maj. Gen. Eugene A. Lupia Award), Capt. Jacob Lambert (Civil Engineer School, CE)

Outstanding Senior Military Leader (Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Newman Medal), Col. Steven Thomas (CE)

About AFIT

AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.  AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage https://www.afit.edu/