Air Force Institute of Technology holds graduation ceremony

  • Published
  • By Sandy Simison
  • 88th Air Base Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force Institute of Technology held an awards and commencement ceremony March 26 for 211 master's and seven Ph.D. student degrees in 25 different research areas. Three graduating students received dual degrees. 

In addition to Air Force students, there were 26 U.S. Army, two U.S. Marine Corp and five international students representing the countries of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Turkey and the Republic of Korea. 

In addition, 29 previous graduates returned to walk during the ceremony; 22 of which were Ph.D. graduates returning to be hooded. 

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was keynote speaker for the commencement at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. 

Earlier in the day, the awards ceremony recognized some of the students for their exemplary performance during their graduate studies at AFIT. Earning awards were: 

› Dr. Tony Kelly was presented the Lt. Col. Charles P. Brothers Jr. Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, which 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 

› Maj. David Liu was presented the Military Officers Association of America Outstanding Military Professor Award, recognizing the military professor who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and service 

› Master Sgt. Michael Rich received the Secretary James G. Roche Award. This award was 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. 

› Maj. Michael Mariotti was presented the Lt. Edwin E. Aldrin Sr. Award, recognizing the student who has displayed the most exceptional leadership characteristics while in the graduate program 

› Capt. Jason Altenhofen was presented the Louis F. Polk Award, which recognizes the student who has made an advanced contribution in their professional field. This award winner 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. David Matters received the Mervin E. Gross Award, demonstrating exceptional academic achievement and high qualities of character, initiative, and leadership while in a master's graduate program. 

The Dean's Award recognizes the most exceptional master's thesis by a graduating student within each academic department. Those awards were presented to:    

›. Megan Lewis received the Dean's Award for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. 

› First Lt. Robert La-Fluer received the Dean's Award for the Department of Electrical And Computer Engineering. 

› Noah Van Zandt received the Dean's Award for the Department of Engineering Physics. 

› Second Lt. Rebecca Widrick received the Dean's Award for the Department of Operational Sciences. 

› Capt. Jason Altenhofen received the Dean's Award for the Department of Systems Engineering and Management. 

› Maj. Matthew Steen-man received the Dean's Award for the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. 

The Chancellor's Award was presented to 2nd Lt. Megan Lewis as the graduating student who produced the most exceptional master's thesis.