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AFIT graduate school recognizes student and faculty achievement for the class of 2020

Posted Thursday, April 09, 2020

 


Dr. Todd Stewart, AFIT Director and Chancellor, presents the Chancellor’s Award to 2d Lt Alexander Boeckenstedt (M.S. Applied Physics) during a “drive thru” out-processing on April 3, 2020.  The Chancellor’s Award is presented to the graduating student who produced the most exceptional master’s thesis.
 

The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management recognized 30 students with awards earned during their time as master’s students.  Awards for staff and faculty members recognized their outstanding support to student success.  The awards ceremony, originally scheduled for March 26, 2020, was cancelled due to social distancing required because of the COVID-19 virus.
 

Awards Selected by the Students
The Ivan B. Thompson Award
recognizes the member of the graduating class who has shown exceptional service to the class, school, community, and Air Force.  The 2020 winner was 2d Lt Sharee Acosta (M.S. Electrical Engineering).
 
Lt Col Robert Tournay, Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Science within the Department of Engineering Physics won the Dr. Leslie M. Norton Teaching Excellence Award. This award is given to a faculty member in honor of commitment and service to the graduating class.  
 
The 2020 Student of the Year winners were selected by AFIT leadership for their academic accomplishments, leadership, and community contributions.  These are truly peer awards.  The Company Grade Officer of the Year was Capt Nathaniel Flack (M.S. Cyber Operations); Field Grade Officer of the Year was Maj Richard Danaher (M.S. Operations Research); Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year was MSgt John Johnson (M.S. Cost Analysis); International Student of the Year was Capt Daniel Cherobini from Brazil (M.S. Logistics & Supply Chain Management); and the Civilian Student of the Year was Ms. Elizabeth Pickering (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering).
 
The Beta Chapter of the Sigma Iota Epsilon Professional Management Fraternity awarded the Dr. Anthony D'Angelo Award for Student Leadership to 2d Lt Kaitlyn Barry (M.S. Engineering Management).  This award recognizes the Sigma Iota Epsilon student who demonstrated excellent leadership and teamwork.
 
Maj Justin Delorit, Assistant Professor of Engineering Management within the Department of Systems Engineering and Management received the Beta Chapter of the Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Professor of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to the understanding of management sciences. 
 
The Delta Xi Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu, a professional engineering honor society, sponsored the Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Member of the Year Award which was given to
Maj J. Addison Betances, an Assistant Professor within the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
 
The Ohio Eta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, The National Engineering Honor Society, sponsored two awards.  The Tau Beta Pi Thesis Award recognizes the master’s student whose thesis was judged to make a significant contribution to the engineering community. The 2020 winner was Ms. Elizabeth Pickering (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering).  The Tau Beta Pi Thesis Advisor Award was given to Lt Col Jeff Komives, an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering within the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, for his outstanding support to students during the thesis process. 
 
Sigma Gamma Tau, the honor society for Aerospace Engineering seeks to identify and recognize achievement and excellence in the Aerospace field. The Sigma Gamma Tau Award winner was Ms. Elizabeth Pickering (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering).
 
Association and Society Awards
The Dayton Chapter of the International Society of Logistics sponsored the Jerome G. Peppers Jr., Outstanding Student Award.  This award is given to a member of each graduating class whose academic record and research contributions to the field of logistics are judged to be superior.  The 2020 winner was Mr. Zachary Shannon (M.S. Logistics & Supply Chain Management).
 
The Dayton/Miami Valley Chapter of the Project Management Institute sponsored the Dr. Martin D. Martin and Dr. John Adams Thesis Award given to the author of the thesis that best addresses a project management topic and is judged to be an outstanding research effort in terms of its contribution to the project management body of knowledge. The 2020 winner was MSgt Eric Plack (M.S. Cost Analysis).
 
The Dr. James T. Moore Graduate Research Prize, sponsored by the Military Operations Research Society, is named after Dr. Moore who served for 21 years at AFIT as a Professor and head of the Department of Operational Sciences.  This award is given to the author of a thesis judged to demonstrate the best application of operations research methodology or theory development to a military problem.  Key elements considered for this award include the applicability and impact of the research, the originality and scope of the research effort, and the overall quality of the written presentation.  The 2020 winner was Capt Brandon Hufstetler (M.S. Operations Research).

The Kittyhawk Chapter of the International Association of Old Crows, sponsored two academic research excellence awards. The Academic Research Excellence Award in Electronic Defense recognized the thesis judged to make the most significant contribution in the area of electronic defense.  Consideration was also given to originality, scope, and level of difficulty.  The 2020 winner was Capt Trent Wargo (M.S. Electrical Engineering).  The Academic Research Excellence Award in Information Superiority recognized the thesis judged to make the most significant contribution in the area of information security and information operations.  Consideration was also given to originality, scope, and level of difficulty.  The 2020 winner was 2d Lt Youngjun Park (M.S. Cyber Operations).

Two separate awards are given to students performing research in technical disciplines related to the Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT).  The MASINT discipline is technically derived intelligence that allows detection, tracking, identification, or signature characterization of fixed or dynamic target sources. The first award is sponsored by the MASINT Committee, a technical coordination office within the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) with government representatives from the intelligence community and the Department of Defense.  The Center for Technical Intelligence Studies and Research Outstanding Thesis Award (MASINT Committee Award of Academic Excellence) is given to the author of a master’s thesis judged to make the best overall contribution to the field of measurement and signature intelligence.  The 2020 winner was LTC Jason Wood, USA (M.S. Nuclear Engineering).  The Advanced Technical Intelligence (ATIA) Association Outstanding Student Award is given to a graduating student who demonstrates the highest overall level of performance while pursing academic work in the field of measurement and signature intelligence.  Determination of the winner is based on cumulative grade point average and research excellence as demonstrated through a thesis or research project.  The 2020 winner was Capt Jerrod Kempf (M.S. Electrical Engineering).
 
The Alpha Chapter of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) sponsored the ANS Thesis Award. This award is given to the author of a thesis judged to make the most significant contribution to the field of nuclear engineering and physics. Other key criteria for determining the winning thesis include originality, completeness, and level of difficulty. The 2020 winner was 1st Lt Daniel Gum (M.S. Nuclear Engineering).
 
The Dayton-Cincinnati Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) sponsored the AIAA Graduate Student Award for Service Excellence to recognize a graduating master’s student from AFIT for outstanding service to the aerospace profession in general, and the Dayton-Cincinnati Section of AIAA in specific.  The 2020 winner was Ms. Elizabeth Pickering (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering).
 
The Air Force Historical Foundation’s General Bryce Poe II Award is given to a student or group of students whose thesis contributes to an understanding of the historical factors affecting an Air Force or Department of Defense problem, event, or process.  The 2020 winner was Capt Scott Guerin (M.S. Engineering Management).

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Kittyhawk Chapter sponsored the SAME Award.  This award is given to the student in the engineering and environmental management program who demonstrates superior scholarship, outstanding leadership, character, and initiative.  The award criterion also considers the student's overall performance and ability to work with faculty and fellow students. The 2020 winner was Capt Jeneé Jagoda (M.S. Engineering Management).
 
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Kittyhawk Chapter also sponsored the Office of the Air Force Civil Engineer, George K. Dimitroff Award.  This award is presented annually to the author of the thesis judged to have made the most significant contribution to the Air Force civil engineering career field.  The 2020 winner was Capt Scott Guerin (M.S. Engineering Management).
 
The U. S. Cyber Command sponsored the Cyberspace Research Excellence Award given to the student whose master’s level research is judged the best in advancing Air Force capabilities in cyberspace. The 2020 winner was Capt Yousuke Matsui (M.S. Electrical Engineering).
 
The Dayton Section of the Institute of Navigation sponsored the Navigation Research Excellence Award given to the author of a master’s thesis reflecting the most exceptional research contribution to scientific or engineering knowledge in the navigation area. The 2020 winner was 2d Lt Liberty Shockley (M.S. Astronautical Engineering).


Col Andy McQuade, Graduate School of Engineering and Management's Dean of Students, presented 2d Lt Liberty Shockley (M.S. Astronautical Engineering) with the Navigation Research Excellence Award during a “drive thru” out-processing on April 3, 2020.  Sponsored by the Dayton Section of the Institute of Navigation, this award is given to the author of a master’s thesis reflecting the most exceptional research contribution to scientific or engineering knowledge in the navigation area.
 

The Greater Dayton Chapter of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA), sponsored the ICEAA Thesis Award.  This award is presented to the author of the thesis which best qualifies both as an outstanding research effort and as a significant contribution to the development and/or application of cost analysis or cost accounting.  The 2020 winner was 1st Lt Dakota Hogan (M.S. Cost Analysis).
 
The International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE), presented the Excellence in Optics and Photonics Research Award.  This award for excellence in optics and photonics research recognizes the best light-based thesis of a graduating master’s student.  The 2020 winner was FLTLT James Boettiger, Royal Australian Air Force (M.S. Electrical Engineering).
 
Graduate School of Engineering and Management Awards
The Lt Col Charles P. Brothers, Jr. Outstanding Volunteer Service Award went to Mr. Jeffery Sitler from the Engineering Physics Department.  This award recognizes an AFIT faculty or staff member who has established a record of sustained, significant volunteer service to organizations both on-base and in the local communities.  At the time of his death, Lt Col Brothers was serving on the faculty of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.  He believed that by donating one’s time and talents to the community, an individual truly demonstrates the qualities of character, integrity, and team spirit.  We honor Lt Col Brothers’ spirit of service through this award. 
 
The Dayton Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) sponsored the MOAA Outstanding Military Professor Award won by Lt Col Andrew Hoisington, Assistant Professor and Engineering Management Program Manager in the Systems Engineering and Management Department.  MOAA is the nation’s largest veteran’s organization of retired, former, and currently serving uniformed officers.  The Outstanding Military Professor Award is given in recognition of the military professor who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and service.
 
In August 2002, under the leadership of Air Force Secretary James G. Roche, AFIT enrolled its first class of 16 non-commissioned officers into the Graduate School of Engineering and Management, and subsequently created a specific award to honor the top enlisted student.  The Secretary James G. Roche Award is presented to the graduating enlisted student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement through a combination of grade point average and outstanding research, as well as high qualities of character, initiative, leadership and service.  The 2020 winner was MSgt John Johnson (M.S. Cost Analysis).
 
The Lieutenant Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr. Award is sponsored by the Wright Memorial Chapter of the Air Force Association and is named in honor of Lieutenant Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr.; a member of the institute’s first graduating class of 1920, who upon graduation became AFIT’s first Vice Commandant. This award recognizes the student who has displayed the most exceptional leadership characteristics while in the graduate program.  The 2020 award winner was Capt Joanna Williams (M.S. Atmospheric Sciences).
 
The Louis F. Polk Award is sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association and recognizes the student who has made an advanced contribution in their professional field.  The winner of this award has exhibited the highest standards of academic and professional accomplishment, and through their research made a significant contribution toward strengthening the nation’s industrial defense base.  The 2020 award winner was 2d Lt Aaron Bauer (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering).
 
The Mervin E. Gross Award is presented to the graduating student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and high qualities of character, initiative, and leadership while in a master’s graduate program.  Named in honor of Brigadier General Mervin E. Gross who, following World War II, was responsible for reorganizing the Air Corps Engineering School as the Air Force Institute of Technology.  The 2020 award winner was Capt Jeneé Jagoda (M.S. Engineering Management).
 
The Dean’s Award recognizes the most exceptional master’s thesis by a graduating student within each academic department.  Award determination is based on the master’s thesis reflecting the most exceptional contribution to scientific, management, or engineering knowledge.  Each individual was competitively selected by their respective academic department. 

  • From the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department – 2d Lt Michael Sherburne (M.S. Electrical Engineering)
  • From the Engineering Physics Department – 2d Lt Alexander Boeckenstedt (M.S. Applied Physics)
  • From the Operational Sciences Department – 2d Lt Nicholas Forrest (M.S. Operations Research)
  • From the Systems Engineering and Management Department – Ms. Megan Steele (M.S. Environmental Engineering & Science and M.S. Industrial Hygiene)
  • From the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department – 2d Lt J. Luke Hill (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering)

From the collection of Dean’s Award recipients, one overall winner is chosen to receive the Chancellor’s Award.  The Chancellor’s Award is presented to the graduating student who produced the most exceptional master’s thesis.  The 2020 Chancellor’s Award and Russ Prize went to – 2d Lt Alexander Boeckenstedt (M.S. Applied Physics).

The AFIT Chancellor is authorized to designate no more than 10 percent of each graduating class as Distinguished Graduates (DG). The criteria for identifying DG achievement encompasses academic scores, the “whole person” concept based on professional qualities, and the recommendation of the department heads to ensure the students are deserving of the honor associated with DG.  The DGs for the class of 2020 were:

  • 2d Lt Jinan Andrews (M.S. Systems Engineering)
  • 2d Lt Aaron Bauer (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering)
  • Maj Marc Blair, U.S. Marine Corps (M.S. Environmental Engineering & Science and M.S. Industrial Hygiene)
  • Maj Brian Boardman (M.S. Applied Mathematics)
  • Capt James Boettiger, Royal Australian Air Force (M.S. Electrical Engineering)
  • Capt Adam Brubakken (M.S. Logistics & Supply Chain Management)
  • 1st Lt Peter Calhoun (M.S. Operations Research)
  • 2d Lt David Crow (M.S. Computer Science)
  • Capt Nathaniel Flack (M.S. Cyber Operations)
  • 1st Lt Dakotah Hogan (M.S. Cost Analysis)
  • Mr. Lansing Horan (M.S. Nuclear Engineering)
  • Capt Brandon Hufstetler (M.S. Operations Research)
  • Capt Jeneé Jagoda (M.S. Engineering Management)
  • Capt Michelle Kanipe (M.S. Atmospheric Sciences)
  • Capt Yousuke Matsui (M.S. Electrical Engineering)
  • 2d Lt Lucas Mireles (M.S. Computer Engineering)
  • 2d Lt Youngjun Park (M.S. Cyber Operations)
  • Ms. Elizabeth Pickering (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering)
  • 2d Lt Brandon Pierce (M.S. Applied Physics)
  • 2d Lt Bennett Staton (M.S. Aeronautical Engineering)
  • Maj Nathan Thomsen (M.S. Engineering Management)
  • 1st Lt Taylor Whitney (M.S. Applied Physics)

 

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