AFIT awards 235 masters and 6 doctorate degrees at graduation ceremony Published March 28, 2018 By Stacey Geiger 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management awarded 241 masters and doctorate degrees March 22 at the National Museum of the Air Force. This graduating class includes 208 Air Force officers, three Air Force Non-Commissioned officers, 10 Army officers, three Marine Corps officers, and 13 civilians. The school also had three international students from Argentina and the Republic of Korea. Of the total graduated, the Graduate School awarded 235 master degrees and six doctorate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math fields. One graduate received dual degrees. In addition, five masters and 12 doctoral alumni who graduated earlier in the academic year returned to participate in the ceremony. The guest speaker for the graduation ceremonies was Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. “The United States Air Force relies on the most advanced technology to defend our nation and project power in the air and space around the globe,” Wilson said addressing the graduates. “We are going to lean hard on you as the next generation of scientists and engineers in air and space. So choose to ask why, choose to innovate, and choose to build strong relationships throughout your professional lives. Our nation needs you desperately and our future generations are counting on you.” AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management is a research–based institution offering graduate programs leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in engineering, applied science and selected areas of management. Their mission is to provide high-quality graduate education programs and engage in research activities that enable the Air Force to maintain its scientific and technological dominance. This year marks AFIT’s 99th anniversary. AFIT first granted accredited resident degrees in 1955 and since then more than 19,550 masters and 835 doctoral degrees have been awarded. During an awards ceremony earlier in the day at AFIT, some students were presented awards for their exemplary performance during their graduate studies. Those awards presented were: • Capt. Steven M. Beyer from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department was presented the Chancellor’s Award for demonstrating the most exceptional individual master’s thesis research. • Capt. Daniel J. Broyles from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department received the Mervin E. Gross Award for his exceptional academic achievement and high qualities of character, initiative, and leadership. The award is named in honor of Brig. Gen. Mervin E. Gross, first commandant of the Institute. • Capt. Martin Span III from the Systems Engineering and Management Department received the Louis F. Polk Award. The winner of this award 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. • Maj. Steven M. Hoak, from the Engineering Physics Department received the Edwin E. Aldrin Sr. Award, presented for displaying the most exceptional leadership characteristics while in the graduate program. • Master Sgt. Benjamin D. Bobic from the Operational Sciences Department received the Secretary James G. Roche Award for demonstrating 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 following students have met all degree requirements and have been approved for the designated degree (in bold): Doctor of Philosophy Mr. Christopher W. Badenhop^ Maj. Jarred L. Burley^ Maj. Daniel J. Casey Capt. Jonathon R. Climer^ Mr. Ricardo Davila Lt. Col. Armando DeLeon Jr. Mr. Ben Eshel^ Mr. Zachary C. Little Capt. Gordon E. Lott^ Capt. Carlos R. Garcia Mr. James S. Okolica^ Maj. Matthew D. Roberts^ Lt. Col. James M. Sattler^ Lt. Col. John E. Stubbs^ Mr. Noah R. Van Zandt^ Mr. Frederick C. Webber^ Maj. Pamela L. Wheeler^ Mr. Andrew J. Zakrajsek Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering 2nd Lt. Joshua-Edward C. Beardsley III Capt. Anthony A. Castello Capt. Dayle L. Chang 2nd Lt. Kevin J. DeMarco Capt. Jeffrey A. DesRoches 2nd Lt. Christopher J. Ditter Capt. Andrew D. Durkee 2nd Lt. Jacob P. Fischer* Maj. Michael Fritts Maj. Michael J. Harris, U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Dylan N. Hope 2nd Lt. Riley Huff Capt. Brian G. Kroeger Capt. Tyler S. Levy Capt. Steven W. M. Long 2nd Lt. Nicholas J. Marco 2nd Lt. Savannah N. Minor 2nd Lt. Kyle D. Moore Capt. Lee R. Morris Capt. Aadit A. Patel Mr. Charles L. Shuff Capt. James G. Tewaheftewa 2nd Lt. Michael C. Waters Capt. Lee F. Wise Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering 2nd Lt. Jacob A. Dahlke Mr. Mark C. Duane 2nd Lt. Jeremiah R. Hoffman* 2nd Lt. Justin D. Katzovitz 2nd Lt. Robert B. LaRue Mr. Kan Liu Capt. Rodrigo I. Ocampo 2nd Lt. Karson A. Roberts Capt. Christopher C. Rocker Mr. Benjamin N. Sargeant 2nd Lt. Braeden A. Sheets Capt. David F. Spendel Capt. Perry K. VanZandt Capt. Caleb J. Werner Capt. Samuel D. Wright Master of Science in Materials Science Capt. Matthew T. LeSaint^ Capt. Glen E. Pry III* Capt. Steffan M. L. Wilcox Master of Science in Space Systems Maj. Taehoi Koo, Republic of Korea Capt. Isaac M. Nacita* Capt. Von Drake L. Ramos Capt. Daniel A. Timme (Dual Degree) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Master of Science in Computer Engineering Capt. Karl C. Bentjen Capt. Steven M. Beyer* Capt. Brandon P. Froberg Capt. Robert P. Loibl Jr. Master of Science in Computer Science Capt. Sarah J. Bolton 2nd Lt. Luke M. Bradford Capt. Daniel D. Hart 2nd Lt. Min Woo Kang 2nd Lt. Samuel A. Mayer 2nd Lt. Zachary C. Paulson Capt. Jonathan B. Roeber Capt. Kenneth R. Sample Capt. Daniel J. Schelkoph 2nd Lt. Nicholas J. Seydel Master of Science in Cyber Operations Capt. Markus M. Borneman Capt. Mason R. Bruza 2nd Lt. Daniel J. Celebucki Mr. Jacob W. Connors Capt. Michael H. Dunn Capt. Jeffrey J. T. Guion 2nd Lt. Blaine M. Jeffries Capt. Matthew D. Kanning Capt. Bradford E. Law* 2nd Lt. Tiffany M. Phan Master of Science in Electrical Engineering 1st Lt. Matthew N. Alombro Capt. Roger S. Anderson 2nd Lt. Taylor B. Bodin* Capt. Daniel J. Broyles* Capt. Alexander W. Duchane Capt. Kolby H. Elliott Capt. Joseph A. Ellis Capt. Roderick D. Ervin Capt. Antwon R. Gallagher 2nd Lt. Ian R. Goodbody Capt. Robert E. Irby, IV Capt. Patrick R. Kennedy Capt. Daniel K. Koch Capt. Lawrence J. Lee Capt. Michael P. Malec Capt. Tyler M. Moore Capt. Lauren A. Mount Capt. Duy Kien Nguyen 2nd Lt. Seeley M. Pentecost* Capt. Christian K. Peters 2nd Lt. Bertus A. Shelters Capt. Chad M. Sobota Maj. Thomas Stuart Mr. Evan V. Swihart Capt. Joseph C. Tompkins Capt. Kullen W. Waggoner Capt. John Willis Capt. Clark L. Wolfe Department of Engineering Physics Master of Science in Applied Physics Maj. Diana Cruz, U.S. Army Capt. Carlos D. Diaz Capt. Kalen L. Knippling Capt. Cameron A. Merriman 2nd Lt. Richard D. Peterson Capt. Christopher R. Pitkins Maj. Nathan D. Smith Master of Science in Atmospheric Sciences Capt. Gabriel D. Donndelinger Capt. Tania M. Garza Capt. William J. Graff Capt. Nancy M. Holden 1st Lt. Jeremy A. Mayo-Johnson 2nd Lt. Sarah A. Olsen Capt. Matthew W. Perkins Master of Science in Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Capt. Richard F. Daughtry III, U.S. Army Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering CPT. Peter D. Anderson, U.S. Army Maj. Todd A. Bryant, U.S. Army Capt. Zachary T. Condon 2nd Lt. Anita N. Dunsmore* Maj. Steven M. Hoak, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Robert J. Olesen* Mr. Jay E. Ostler* 2nd Lt. Steven G. Sauer Capt. Jason R. Stickney Department of Mathematics and Statistics Master of Science in Applied Mathematics Capt. Daniel E. Hill 2nd Lt. Andrew P. Lawrence 2nd Lt. Justin Ng Department of Operational Sciences Master of Science in Logistics & Supply Chain Management Vice Commodoro Jose A. Alvarez*, Argentina Capt. Rachael S. Beightel Maj. Thomas S. Bihansky Jr. Master Sgt. Benjamin D. Bobic Capt. Dustin D. Bohall Capt. Melvin K. Boothe Capt. Samantha R. Bryan Capt. Joshua P. Casey Capt. Brandon M. Clements Capt. Daniel S. Finney 1st Lt. Rachel E. Herald Capt. Michael J. Hester* Master Sgt. Theodore S. Holliger Maj. Scott M. Kubalek Capt. Steven T. Lane Capt. Andrew J. Lankow* Capt. Benjamin W. Leung Capt. Michael D. Mauro Master Sgt. Michael P. McLane Capt. Casey L. Owens Capt. Samuel H. Pang Capt. Josiah J. Pratt Capt. Francisco J. Rodriguez Capt. Luis D. Rosado-Medina Ms. Jessica A. Smith^ Capt. Jessica M. Thomas Capt. Michael J. Weber Capt. Peter J. Williams Master of Science in Operations Research Capt. Nolan R. Bet 1st Lt. Stephanie M. Boone 2nd Lt. Luke M. Brantley Capt. Spencer A. Butt Capt. Josh D. Deehr, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jacob T. Elliott Capt. Chelsea T. Froom Capt. Sarah K. Furrer Capt. James C. Gallagher*, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Preston A. Green 2nd Lt. Jake Edward Johnson 2nd Lt. Anthony J. Kallhoff 2nd Lt. Ivan G. Keene* 2nd Lt. Jacob R. Lindell 1st Lt. Miguel J. Macias 1st Lt. Frances G. MacKinnon Capt. Richard E. Mard, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Lindsey N. McEvoy Capt. Evan L. Munson, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Sarah E. Neumann Capt. Clifton M. Noble Maj. Rachel C. Ramirez Mr. Joseph E. Schoenbeck 1st Lt. William C. Sevier Capt. Matthew T. Small Capt. Jeffrey R. Smith Jr. 1st Lt. Alexander M. Trigo Capt. Nicholas M. Uhorchak, U.S. Army Maj. Kyle S. Wilkinson* Department of Systems Engineering and Management Master of Engineering in Applied Systems Engineering Capt. Steven P. Carpenter Capt. Marie Gaudreault Mr. Jacob Jackson Capt. Montgomery B. Kirk IV^ Capt. Jordan Ziegler Master of Science in Cost Analysis Capt. Evan R. Boone Capt. Kirsten Bunecke Capt. Tarah E. Cotton 1st Lt. Bradley M. Duncan Capt. James Ellis 1st Lt. Scott C. Hewitson 1st Lt. Chase M. Houser 1st Lt. Deborah B. Kim Capt. Amanda L. McGowin Capt. Raymond L. Mims II 1st Lt. Garrett B. O'Hanlon Capt. James T. Okamoto* 1st Lt. Bryan J. Price 1st Lt. Shauna M. Young Master of Science in Engineering Management Capt. Joseph A. Applebee Maj. William E. Bentley Capt. Bianca E. Boney Capt. Corey J. Booker Capt. Jared R. Breuker Capt. Joshua C. Chambers-Mills Capt. Samuel M. Clark Capt. Andrew W. Davenport Capt. Paul P. Dennison Capt. Christopher A.J. Edlund Capt. Jared R. Erickson Capt. Justin M. Iungerich Capt. Brendan J. Maestas* 2nd Lt. John P. McCrea Capt. Robert J. McGaha Capt. Philip A. Ramsey* Capt. Sean M. Stuntz Capt. Jesse A. Trawick Master of Science in Environmental Engineering & Science Capt. Sean M. Dyson Capt. Thomas G. Hornstein, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Joseph B. Kunicki, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ariel L. Waiters Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene Ms. Michelle L. Page^ Maj. Keith A. Sanders* Master of Science in Systems Engineering Capt. Timothy J. Allen 2nd Lt. Walid Basraoui Capt. Mark G. Bateman Jr. Capt. Joe R. Berry 2nd Lt. David J. Buehler Capt. Daniel Cipera Capt. Matthew W. Davis Maj. Michael S. Felten Capt. Michael M. Kaniut Mr. Austin M. Klaus Maj. Kijun Lee, Republic of Korea Capt. Martin Span III* Capt. Daniel A. Timme (Dual Degree) Capt. Austin A. Troya Mr. Michael J. Walters^ *Distinguished Graduate ^ Graduated earlier in the academic year and returned to participate in the ceremony