AFIT awards 236 masters and doctoral STEM degrees Published March 31, 2020 By Katie Scott Air Force Institute of Technology WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management awarded 229 master’s degrees and seven doctorate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math fields. Two graduate student’s received dual master’s degrees. Due to current concerns of COVID-19, a commencement ceremony was not held. The graduating class included 195 Air Force officers, four Air Force non-commissioned officers, seven Army officers, four Marine Corps officers, 14 civilians, and seven defense contractors. The school also graduated three international students from Australia and Brazil. Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations, U. S. Space Force was to be the commencement speaker. In a recorded video, Raymond addressed the students saying, “Despite the on-going challenges we face due to the Corona virus, I want to send a sincere and heartfelt congratulations to each of you for completing your advanced degrees and being part of our newest graduating class from the Air Force Institute of Technology.” “During this time of uncertainty, one thing remains absolutely certain - our mission to protect and defend the air and space domains remains unchanged. As AFIT graduates, many of you will go on to support our critical missions with innovative ideas to maintain air and space superiority for our nation and that of our allies. I look forward to your leadership, your ingenuity, and the opportunity to serve at your side,” said Raymond. Lt. Gen. James Hecker, Commander and President of Air University, congratulated the graduating class in a recorded video saying, “You went through a lot of hard work…but it is worth it. Now you are an AFIT graduate and that means something.” “The AFIT diploma each graduate will receive signifies both completion of all academic requirements for award of the degree and equally important demonstrates of the values, character and professional qualities we require of all AFIT graduates,” said AFIT’s Director and Chancellor, Dr. Todd Stewart. 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. The school’s 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. The following students earned awards for their exemplary performance: Second Lt. Alexander Boeckenstedt from the Engineering Physics Department received the Chancellor’s Award for producing the most exceptional individual master’s thesis. Capt. Jenee Jagoda from the Systems Engineering and Management Department received the Mervin E. Gross Award for her 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. Second Lt. Aaron Bauer from the Aeronautics and Astronautics 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. Capt. Joanna Williams, 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. The 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 in 1920, who upon graduation, became AFIT’s first vice commandant. Master Sgt. John Johnson from the Systems Engineering and Management 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 award is named after Air Force Secretary James G. Roche whose leadership in 2002 led to the first class of non-commissioned officers into the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. The following students have met all degree requirements and have been approved for the designated degree (in bold): Doctor of Philosophy Aeronautical Engineering Maj. Colin C. Engebretsen Maj. David J. Newell Computer Engineering Lt. Col. James W. Dean Electrical Engineering Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Voetberg Logistics Maj. James A. Cotton III Nuclear Engineering Ms. Brittany D. Campbell Systems Engineering Mr. Eric E. Geiselman Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering 2nd Lt. Aaron P. Bauer* Capt. Andrew W. Beard Capt. Joseph R. Dechert 2nd Lt. Anna C. Demoret 2nd Lt. Richard A. Depaola III 1st Lt. Andrew W. Goldin 2nd Lt. Kevin D. Greenoe 2nd Lt. J. Luke Hill 2nd Lt. Daniel Holobeny 2nd Lt. Corey J. Lee 2nd Lt. Richard A. Macias Capt. Kyle J. Matissek 2nd Lt. Kavi Muraleetharan 2nd Lt. Ryan A. Oddo Ms. Elizabeth C. Pickering* 2nd Lt. Candice R. Roberts 2nd Lt. Austin P. Robertson 2nd Lt. Bennett M. Staton* 2nd Lt. Joshua R. Warren Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering Mr. William R. Gallagher Capt. Dax A. Linville 2nd Lt. Liberty M. Shockley 2nd Lt. Jeremy A. Touma Master of Science in Materials Science Mr. Thaddeus M. Williams Master of Science in Space Systems Capt. Brian A. Erickson Capt. Jessica Wightman Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Master of Science in Computer Engineering 2nd Lt. Tylar J. Hanson 2nd Lt. Micah J. Hayden 2nd Lt. Jake M. Magness 2nd Lt. Lucas E. Mireles* 2nd Lt. Joseph A. Vagedes 2nd Lt. Terrence J. Yi Master of Science in Computer Science 2nd Lt. David R. Crow* Capt. Michael R. Crowl 2nd Lt. Bradley S. French 2nd Lt. Joshua P. Gallaher 2nd Lt. Andrew T. Lee Capt. Zachary D. Madison Capt. Sean A. Mochocki Capt. Kirill A. Sarantsev Master of Science in Cyber Operations 2nd Lt. Nathan V. Barker 2nd Lt. Christopher Dukarm Capt. Nathaniel W. Flack* Mr. Brandon K. Kamaka Capt. Alexander D. H. Kim 2nd Lt. Ahmed L. King 2nd Lt. James M. Marvin 2nd Lt. Marvin W. Newlin 2nd Lt. Jacob A. Q. Orner 2nd Lt. Youngjun Park* Capt. Aaron J. Pendleton Capt. Dillon M. Pettit Capt. Kyle J. Smathers Ms. Jessica A. Switzler Master of Science in Electrical Engineering 2nd Lt. Sharee B. Acosta Capt. Bryan R. Bartelt Capt. James P. Boettiger* (Australia) Capt. Marc R. Brown Maj. Brandon C. Burfeind Maj. Jason D. Carroll Capt. Blake M. Colson 2nd Lt. Nicholas C. Echeverry Capt. David J. Ellis 1st Lt. Zachary P. Friedel Capt. Joshua J. Garretson Capt. James L. Harris Mr. Mitchel C. Hezel Capt. John M. Holowchik Capt. Jerrod M. Kempf 2nd Lt. Patrick R. Latcham Capt. Thomas A. Lepley 2nd Lt. Erik M. Madden Capt. Nicholas N. Martin 2nd Lt. Dylan T. Martin-Abood Capt. Yousuke Z. Matsui* Capt. Kyle D. McCleary 1st Lt. Loren E. Myers Capt. Grant T. Nafziger Capt. Nicholas O'Brien (Australia) 2nd Lt. Nicholas Ogorman 2nd Lt. Oluwayemisi A. Orikogbo 2nd Lt. Caitlyn M. Renne Maj. Michael J. Rodgers 2nd Lt. Michael Sherburne Capt. Michael K. Sim 2nd Lt. Mark E. Vlassakis Capt. Trent W. Wargo Mr. Josiah D. Watson 2nd Lt. Jeremiah C. Williams Department of Engineering Physics Master of Science in Applied Physics 1st Lt. Timothy J. Bate Capt. Adam L. Baxter Capt. Michael W. Bishop 2nd Lt. Alexander S. Boeckenstedt 1st Lt. Kevin S. Burg 2nd Lt. Nicolas J. Guerrero 1st Lt. Joshua A. Key 2nd Lt. Tristan R. Naranjo 2nd Lt. Brandon A. Pierce* Capt. Daniel W. Stambovsky 1st Lt. Taylor R. Whitney* 2nd Lt. Rachel L. Wolfgang Master of Science in Atmospheric Sciences Capt. Brandon M. Bailey Capt. John L. Fioretti Maj. Julie C. Grossnickle 1st Lt. Daniel B. Jagoda Capt. Michelle K. Kanipe* 2nd Lt. Adam W. Klein Capt. Brian R. Urbancic Capt. Joanna E. Szewczyk Williams Master of Science in Materials Science 2nd Lt. Chance M. Baxter Ms. Amber S. Powell Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering 2nd Lt. Aaron W. Burkhardt Maj. Ryan K. Chapman MAJ. Lawton E. Drake (U.S. Army) MAJ. Trenton Luther Freeman (U.S. Army) 2nd Lt. Nathan Gale 1st Lt. Daniel A. Gum Mr. Lansing S. Horan IV* MAJ. Christopher J. Mihal (U.S. Army) Ms. Taylor M. Nichols MAJ. Andrew J. Owens (U.S. Army) 2nd Lt. Ashwin P. Rao MAJ. Lorin D. Veigas (U.S. Army) LTC. Jason C. Wood (U.S. Army) Master of Science in Optical Sciences and Engineering Capt. Adam B. Zucker Department of Mathematics and Statistics Master of Science in Applied Mathematics Maj. Brian A. Boardman* Department of Operational Sciences Master of Science in Logistics & Supply Chain Management Capt. Christina M. Akers Capt. Adam J. Brubakken* Capt. Daniel Cherobini (Brazil) Capt. Kyle R. Gladney Mr. Corbin S. Hartman Capt. Michael D. Ingram Capt. Thomas R. O'Neal Mr. Zachary B. Shannon Master of Science in Operations Research 1st Lt. Garrett A. Alarcon Capt. Adam J. Brakeville Capt. Ryan D. Bruns 1st Lt. Peter A. Calhoun* Capt. Marc W. Chale 2nd Lt. Anson Cheng Capt. Mark A. Ciaravino Maj. Richard S. Danaher Capt. James L. Deitschel 2nd Lt. Nicholas C. Forrest 2nd Lt. John K. Cumnock Francois Capt. Aaron C. Giddings Capt. Brandon J. Hufstetler* Capt. Andrew L. Langland 1st Lt. Stephen M. Lee Capt. Andrew H. Lloyd Capt. Joseph B. Maloney MAJ. Edward Y. Park (U.S. Army) 2nd Lt. Trey S. Pujats Capt. Aaron J. Salazar 2nd Lt. Maria N. Schroeder Maj. Charles A. Skrovan Capt. Tyler M. Spangler Capt. Conor S. Spiegel Capt. Wilson Tapia 2nd Lt. Maxwell C. Thompson 2nd Lt. Kayla N. Tinucci 1st Lt. Clarence O. Williams III Ms. Megan K. Woods Department of Systems Engineering and Management Master of Engineering in Applied Systems Engineering Mr. Dinh D. Khoa Ms. Lynnette J. Gawell 1st Lt. Andrew J. Henderson Mr. J. Adrian Herrera 1st Lt. Wesley B. Jackman 1st Lt. Sarah K. MacKinnon 1st Lt. Hannah M. Myers Capt. Adrian R. Sanchez Capt. Brian Rose 1st Lt. Ryan M. Taylor Capt. Anthony M. Trombley Capt. Scott D. White Master of Science in Cost Analysis 1st Lt. Ethan E. Blake 1st Lt. Katherine A. Carr 1st Lt. Carlo S. Damato Capt. Jordan S. Edwards Capt. Clayton S. Eilert Capt. Evan A. Gist 1st Lt. Dakotah W. Hogan* Master Sgt. John A. Johnson Master Sgt. Dana P. Luketic Capt. Christopher W. Miller Master Sgt. Bradford A. Myers Master Sgt. Eric A. Plack 1st Lt. Ryan D. Stafford Master of Science in Engineering Management 1st Lt. Trever J. Braunberger 2nd Lt. Kaitlyn R. Berry Capt. Michael E. Canfield Capt. Neal S. Fennell Capt. Jamie E. Filer Capt. Shane Gardner Capt. Scott R. Guerin Capt. Sam Harriger Capt. Jenee A. Jagoda* Capt. Nathanael T. Kohl Capt. David G. Leonard Maj. Jeremy J. Miller Capt. Ryley R. Haselton Paquette Capt. Ian N. Parks Capt. Jay F. Pearson 1st Lt. Amy E. Silverbush 2nd Lt. Meghan G. Strang Capt. Danielle K. Tabb Capt. William L. Taylor Maj. Nathan J. Thomsen* Capt. Alvin T. Yip Master of Science in Environmental Engineering & Science Maj. Marc J. Blair* (U.S. Marine Corps) (Dual Degree) Capt. Jacob G. Cools (U.S. Marine Corps) Capt. Matthew D. Hershey Holliday (U.S. Marine Corps) Ms. Megan L. Steele (Dual Degree) Capt. Robert J. Truver III (U.S. Marine Corps) Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene Maj. Marc J. Blair* (U.S. Marine Corps) (Dual Degree) 1st Lt. Stephanie A. Ohms Ms. Megan L. Steele (Dual Degree) Master of Science in Systems Engineering 2nd Lt. Jinan M. Andrews* 2nd Lt. Katherine E. Cheney 2nd Lt. Connor Gary Crandall 2nd Lt. Luke J. Farrell Ms. Taylor F. Flaxington Capt. Matthew L. Holmes Capt. Christopher E. Hopkins 2nd Lt. David King Capt. Simon R. Knister Capt. Justin R. Marsh Capt. Nicholas Tassos Mr. Lynn A. Wallace *Distinguished Graduate