More than 200 AFIT scholars earn diplomas at 2023 graduation Published March 27, 2023 By Caroline Clauson 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Mary Collins leads the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Class of 2023 into their graduation ceremony March 23, 2023, at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Collins, who earned a Master of Science in applied mathematics, was one of the 203 graduates present to receive their diplomas. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Over 200 graduates endured years of late nights, long hours, painstaking research and pandemic ups and downs to finally cross the stage and receive their diplomas from the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management on March 23 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This graduating class includes 172 Department of Defense officers, seven enlisted and 19 civilians, seven defense industry contractors and two international students from Australia and Israel. Of the 208 degrees awarded, the Graduate School conferred 203 master’s degrees and five doctorate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math fields. One graduate earned dual degrees in data science and operations research. Students represent every branch of the military, with 157 Air Force, 13 Space Force, seven Army, four Marine and one Air National Guard members receiving degrees. Additionally, six graduates from previous quarters returned to walk in the ceremony. Walter Jones, AFIT’s director and chancellor, introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker, retired Gen. Lester Lyles, former commander of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Walter Jones, Air Force Institute of Technology director and chancellor gives remarks at the school’s graduation ceremony March 23, 2023, at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Jones introduced the guest speaker, retired Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles, a former Air Force Materiel Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Gen. Lyles is someone who I admired and respected for many years and who now has become a dear friend,” Jones said. “Given all his important activity, I’m delighted he could find the time to be with us tonight on this very special occasion.” Lyles celebrated the passion that pushed the graduates through their education and challenged them to carry a similar passion for their fields into the next steps they’ll take for their nation. “I’m a lover of technology and a lover of science,” Lyles said. “I have been my whole life. And as I look out in the audience, I know all of you exhibit and have expressed passion for science and technology. I love that passion.” Other officials in attendance included Heidi Ries, AFIT provost and chief academic officer, and Adedeji Badiru, dean of the Graduate School. Retired Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles gives the commencement address at the Air Force Institute of Technology 2023 graduation ceremony March 23, 2023, at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.(U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, AFIT’s mission is to provide defense-focused graduate education and related research and operationally relevant initial skills training and professional continuing education to enable the Air and Space Forces to maintain its scientific and technological dominance. “Communicate,” Lyles charged the graduates. “Like great engineers, you know that great communication is more than just transmitting. It’s mostly receiving. I’m a big believer in talking less and listening more. But I feel very confident that as you all get into your jobs, careers and whatever you’re going to be doing for your country and services, we will hear you by the excellence you’re going to demonstrate in the endeavors and technology you’re a part of.” A member of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Class of 2023 stands with his classmates at the end of the school’s graduation ceremony March 23, 2023, at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Air Force, Space Force, Marine and Army members, along with two international students, were among the 203 present to receive their diplomas. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res At an awards ceremony earlier in the day, the following students were recognized for their exemplary performance: Capt. Matthew Johnson from the Electrical and Computer Engineering department received the Chancellor’s Award for producing the most exceptional individual master’s thesis. Capt. Linda Kuster from the Electrical and Computer Engineering 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, the institute’s first commandant. Master Sgt. Benjamin Johnis from the Engineering Physics department received the Louis F. Polk Award. The winner of this award exhibits the highest standards of academic and professional accomplishment, and through his or her research, makes a significant contribution toward strengthening the nation’s industrial defense base. Capt. Bret Wagner from the Electrical and Computer Engineering 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 named in honor of Lieutenant Edwin E. Aldrin Sr., a member of the institute’s first graduating class in 1920. Upon graduation, he became AFIT’s first vice commandant. Staff Sgt. Evan Lake 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 NCOs into the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. The official party of the Air Force Institute of Technology graduation ceremony renders honors as the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors at the start of the event March 23, 2023, at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Retired Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles, center, was the guest speaker. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The following students met all degree requirements and were approved for the designated degree (in bold): *Distinguished Graduate ** Returned to walk Click on the degree category to see the graduate students names Expand All Doctorate of Philosophy Applied Physics James Ethridge** Lt. Col. Jesse Foster Computer Science Daniel Koranek** Electrical Engineering Lt. Col. David Lynes Capt. Timothy Machin Materials Science Maj. Nathan Ellsworth Nuclear Engineering Lt. Col. Samuel Heider (Army)** Operations Research Matthew Ledwith Optical Science and Engineering Philip Plummer** Master of Engineering in Applied Systems Engineering Robert Hickman 1st Lt. William Johnston Maj. Eric LaPrade Capt. Alexander Leaf Capt. John Miller Matthew Ratcliff Capt. Spencer Sweat (Space Force) Capt. Derek Yarke Master of Science in Acquisition and Program Management Capt. Curtis Baker (Space Force) Maj. Daniel Banakos (Space Force) Capt. Benjamin Berezin (Space Force) Capt. Nicholas Francis 1st Lt. Kathleen Hendershott Capt. Cristian Hernandez Rivera (Space Force) Capt. Kevin Hieronymus Capt. Corey Mack Capt. Zachary Ryan Capt. Gregory Sanders Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering Capt. Katherine Ashton (Marine Corps) 2nd Lt. Tessa Barbosa Capt. Christopher Bellanova, Jr. Cody Butzer Capt. Eidahn Eliash (Israel) Capt. Michael Guenther 1st Lt. James Gunderson Capt. Samuel Hiltner 2nd Lt. Bailey Hopkins 2nd Lt. Noor Khan Titus Lee 1st Lt. Edward Maxwell Capt. Alexander Moore Richard Nyquist Capt. Jesse Roberts Capt. Troy Soileau, Jr. Capt. Eric Stubblefield* Capt. Ryan Trenter 2nd Lt. John Ursino Capt. Timothy Winkler (Marine Corps) Master of Science in Applied Mathematics Mary Collins Capt. Raymart De Asis Capt. Lauran Kittle Staff Sgt. Evan Lake* Master of Science in Applied Physics Capt. Tanner Gordon Michael Gross** 2nd Lt. David Howe* Capt. Seth Hyra Capt. Dylan Shaver 2nd Lt. Colton Stoner Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering 2nd Lt. Saumya Baswant Eric Burkhart 2nd Lt. Joseph Canoy Capt. Alec Cook (Space Force) 2nd Lt. Nicholas Higgs 2nd Lt. Alexander Petrocelli Capt. Andrew Vogel* Master of Science in Atmospheric Science 2nd Lt. Lindsay Dedrickson 2nd Lt. Braeden Ede Capt. Gregory Egger Capt. Casey Reynolds Master of Science in Computer Engineering Capt. Tyler Bransfield 2nd Lt. Ryan Clendening 2nd Lt. Jonathan Price Capt. Garret Rose 2nd Lt. Alexander Stephens Maj. Quang Tran (Space Force) Master of Science in Computer Science 2nd Lt. Richard Feustel Capt. Ian Heffron 2nd Lt. Jonathan Moore 2nd Lt. Jonathan Nash Capt. Adam Nasi* 2nd Lt. Caleb Richardson Master Sgt. Matthew Weeks 2nd Lt. Brian Wheelhouse 2nd Lt. Leif White 2nd Lt. Nathaniel Wilson Capt. Ryan Zacher* Master of Science in Cost Analysis Capt. Caleb Ahern Capt. Patrick Bennett, Jr. Capt. Trevor Bills* 1st Lt. Jordan Black 2nd Lt. James Demos Capt. Helga Leite Evora Capt. Joseph Moore, IV Capt. Scott Reilly Capt. Kyrie Rojo 2nd Lt. Jacob Smith Capt. Kayla Vogler Master of Science in Cyber Operations Capt. Jacob Chan 2nd Lt. Tallas Goo Capt. Michael Reyneke 2nd Lt. John Thebarge Master of Science in Data Science 2nd Lt. Todd Campo 2nd Lt. Nicholas Crino* Capt. Brandon Harvill Capt. Nathan Johnston 2nd Lt. Byungmoo Kim 2nd Lt. Grace Metzgar 2nd Lt. Connor Shaw (dual degree) 2nd Lt. Franklin Sun Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Capt. Luke Bergeron Thomas Butterick Griffin Curtis Maj. Eric Fairchild Capt. Jesse Farber Flavio Fernandes Master Sgt. Michael Ingold* Capt. Matthew Johnson* 1st Lt. Connor Martin 2nd Lt. Wyatt Melloy Capt. Luis Montenegro Flight Lt. Jacob Morrison (Australia) Capt. Matthew Rofrano Capt. Stephen Stumpf, Jr. Andrew Van de Motter Capt. Rudolf VonNiederhausern Capt. Bret Wagner* Thomas Wheeler Master of Science in Engineering Management 2nd Lt. Zachary Allen Capt. James Anderson 2nd Lt. Caleb Boone Capt. Anthony Brenes Capt. Kathleenann Brunstad Capt. Payten Connally Capt. Caleb Dann Capt. Spencer Figge* 1st Lt. Emily Frahm Capt. Douglas Jaks Capt. Linda Kuster 1st Lt. Christopher P. Lintz 2nd Lt. Kenneth McKnight Capt. David Robinson (Space Force) Capt. Melissa Sallberg Maj. Zachary Schumann Capt. Danielle Van Lanen Capt. Stone Williford Capt. Zachary Wontrop Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science Capt. Terrence Caploe (Marine Corps) 1st Lt. Leigh Durden Tech. Sgt. Kyle Miller Capt. Ryan Register (Marine Corps)* Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene Alisha Helm Master Sgt. Jonathan Moroz* Capt. Isabella Muffoletto Master of Science in Logistics Maj. William Hardy Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Capt. Joshua Cramer Master Sgt. Benjamin Johnis Capt. Laura Kelly (Space Force) Capt. Roed Mejia 2nd Lt. Benjamin Miller Staff Sgt. Lauren Rogers Master of Science in Materials Science Andrew Mason Brian Pudlo Wyatt Rabe Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering William Backman Capt. Adam Card Aidan Edens 2nd Lt. Anthony Hagey Maj. Jeremy Hunter (Army) Maj. Michael Lindsay (Army) Henry Little Chandler Moore* Maj. Andrew Nesbitt (Army) Daniel Parker 2nd Lt. Camila Quintero Hilsaca Timothy Steimle Maj. Christopher Sutphin (Army) Capt. Evan Threlkeld* Master of Science in Operations Research 2nd Lt. Seth Allen Capt Nathanael Clark 2nd Lt. Camryn Deames Maj. Francis Gargin (Army) 2nd Lt. Andrew Grove Sarah Hoops** Capt. Ryan Johnson 2nd Lt. Miles Kelly Maj. Olin Kennedy (Army)* 2nd Lt. Stephen Kimatian 2nd Lt. Alexandra King Capt. Tyler Lucas Capt. Ian MacDonald Capt. Chad MacWilkinson Maj. Alexander Martinez (Army) 2nd Lt. Callan McCormick 2nd Lt. Elisha Palm 2nd Lt. Andrea Phillips Maj Dante Reid 2nd Lt. Connor Shaw (dual degree) 2nd Lt. Caleb Taylor* 2nd Lt. Sonia Venegas Master of Science in Scientific and Technical Intelligence Michael Beiring Adam Nesmith Master of Science in Space Systems Capt. Alexandria Connelly (Space Force)* Capt. Matthew Connelly (Space Force) 2nd Lt. Noah Kutz Maj. Jose Lopez Cordell (Space Force) Master of Science in Systems Engineering Lt. Col. Clayton Couch 2nd Lt. Alexandra Dobranski* Capt. Gerald Hills Jr. (Space Force) 2nd Lt. Samuel Medvec Capt. John Pasierbowicz Peter Redle Capt. Henry Schmitz Capt. John Stevenson Capt. James Winton