AFIT holds graduation ceremony for engineering, management students Published June 25, 2012 By Amy Rollins Skywrighter Staff WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- Children waved and exclaimed either, "That's my daddy!" or "That's my mommy!" as 46 graduate students of the Air Force Institute of Technology gathered before family and friends June 14 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to receive their degrees. The graduation address was delivered by Maj. Gen. Thomas Andersen, commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education and vice commander, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. In total, 72 graduate degrees were conferred, 14 of whom were conferred at Fort Dix on June 15. Of AFIT students attending the ceremony at Wright-Patterson, 34 were Air Force officers, two were Air Force non-commissioned officers and 10 were civilians. Forty-five master's degrees and one PhD were awarded. "Your AFIT graduate degree will give you initial credibility with others, but it will also establish very high expectations of your ability to use what you've learned here to solve problems and to take advantage of opportunities to move our Air Force forward in the future," said Dr. Todd Stewart, AFIT director and chancellor. Dr. Stewart said the education obtained by the graduates enables them to be critical, logical and systematic thinkers who know how to utilize science to solve problems and make decisions for the Air Force. "In that context, science isn't a noun, it's a verb," he said. General Andersen noted the importance of mentors and role models. "Be the person who whispers in somebody's ears. Be that person that provides that nudge," General Andersen said. "Dreaming, goal setting and a positive attitude are critical to one's life, too." Several special awards were given to top graduates. Two of the award winners graduated from the Master of Air Mobility Program, at Fort Dix, N.J.: Maj. Sarah Lynch was selected for the Air Force Historical Foundation's General Bruce Poe II Award, and Maj. Frederick Oberson was selected for the International Society of Logistic's Jerome G. Peppers Award. Awards presented at AFIT: · Maj. Jennifer Ford received the Unsung Hero Student of The Year Award, given to a student who has gone above and beyond in assisting other students. · Maj. Brady Vaira received the Military Operations Research Society Award, 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. · Capt. Andrew Kasperek received the Lt. Edwin E. Aldrin Award, which recognizes the student who has displayed the most exceptional leadership characteristics while in the graduate program. The award is named after Lt. Edwin Aldrin who was a member of the institute's first graduating class and upon graduation became AFIT's first vice commandant. · Maj. Charles Middleton received the Louis F. Polk Award, sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association. It recognizes the student who has made an advanced contribution in his or her professional field which promotes the concept of strength through industry and technology. · Maj. Daniel Diehl received the Mervin E. Gross Award, named in honor of Brig. Gen. 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 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. Dr. Stewart noted that for many of the graduates, this would be the last academic degree they earn. But that doesn't mean they should stop learning, he said. In fact, their degree is their ticket to lifelong learning. Dr. Stewart said he learned how to learn and gained a passion for learning from his own graduate degrees. "If you acquired these same two benefits from your time at AFIT, you will have succeeded," he said. He said he hopes to see many of the graduates back as they refresh their knowledge and skills by coming through AFIT's continuing education programs. AFIT's newest graduates now go their next duty station to begin the next step in their careers. Graduates: Master of Science (Computer Science) Capt. Lyall J. Di Trapani Tech. Sgt Tyrone C. Gubler Capt. Benhur E. Pacer Maj. Matthew P. Ross Master of Science (Cyber Operations) Mr. Dustin J. Berman Mr. Robert C. Brodbeck Mr. Martin H. Crawford Mr. John T. Hagen Mr. Andrew F. Hay Capt. Andrew T. Kasperek Capt. Daniel B. Morabito Capt. Robert J. Olipane Master Sgt. Crystal M. Shipman Master of Science in Computer Engineering 1st Lt. Scott E. Gerics Capt. Casey C. Miller Mr. William Stout Master of Science in Cyber Warfare Maj. Kyle M. Baldassari Maj. Eric R. Bixby Maj. Matthew Butler Maj. Stephen J. Esposito Maj. Michael D. Pritchett Maj. Justin W. Swartzmiller Maj. April L. Wimmer Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Capt. Timothy J. Carbino 2nd Lt. Istvan M. Prileszky Mr. Michael J. Steinbock Master of Science (Optical Sciences & Engineering) Mr. Michael Richard Benson Mr. Michael R. Rhoby Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering Capt. Melanie E. Mace Master of Science in Logistics (Fort Dix) Maj. Mona E. Alexander Maj. Shanon E. Anderson Maj. Erik G. Brine Maj. Christopher L. Carmichael Maj. Daniel S. DeYoung Maj. Joel E. Eppley Maj. Timothy M. Gonyea Maj. Sarah R. Lynch Maj. Frederick W. Manuel Maj. James M. Nasman Maj. Fredric M. Oberson Maj. Brian J. Smith Maj. Dale W. Stanley III Maj. Joseph E. Whittington Jr Master of Science in Logistics Maj. Craig S. Bailey Maj. Charles L. Carter Maj. Robert Ehasz Maj. Daniel Hervas Maj. Nathan R. Purtle Ms. Jodi M. Tinney Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Capt. Teri M. Hunter Master of Science in Operations Analysis Maj. Daniel C. Diehl Maj. Jordan D. Lee Maj. Craig D. Lindstrom Maj. Peter J. Lueck Maj. Charles J. Middleton Maj. Brady J. Vaira Master of Science in Operations Research Capt. Deane E. Cover Ms. Megan A. Leiter Master of Science (Engineering Management) 1st Lt. Francisco Ospina (Colombia) Master of Science (Systems Engineering) Maj. Ryan M. Colburn Master of Science in Systems Engineering Capt. Achille H.P. Aloisi Maj. Jennifer S. Ford Maj. Walter B. Harvey Maj. Jason D. Horton Maj. Jonathon A. Montgomery Maj. Charles M. Ryan Capt. Michael W. Schreiner Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering 1st Lt. Kevin M. Finster Doctor of Philosophy Mr. Martin J. Eilders Capt. Derrick Langley Mr. Michael B. Reynolds Lt. Col. Kurt P. Rouser