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Academy Members

Outstanding Young Aerospace Engineer

Presented to an alumnus under the age of 40 who has shown outstanding work in his or her field and is a promising leader for the future.  This person must have a strong commitment and interest in the university and the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

  • Zachary C. Reeder '05 - 2013
  • Maruthi Akella, Ph.D. '98 - 2015
  • Darren Hartl, Ph.D. '03 - 2015
  • Kayleen Helms, Ph.D. '00 - 2015
  • Isaac Ekoto, Ph.D. '06 - 2016
  • Julie Parish, Ph.D. '05 - 2016
  • Puneet Singla, Ph.D. '02 - 2016
  • Andrew L. Carpenter, Ph.D. '09 - 2017
  • Xiaoli Bai, Ph.D. '09 - 2018
  • Cody P. Kelly '10 - 2018
  • Tyler P. Neale '10 - 2018
  • Lesley Weitz, Ph.D. '05 - 2018
  • Brian Freno, Ph.D. '08 - 2022
  • Lauren Riner '17 - 2024

Outstanding Aerospace Engineer

Presented to an alumnus 40 years or older who has proven superior professional achievement, community service and service to the university. This person is a role model for all to follow, and his or her example of distinguished professional practice deserves recognition.

  • David H. Allen, Ph.D. '72 - 2013
  • Douglas R. Cooke '73 - 2013
  • David W. Lund '79 - 2014
  • Merri J. Sanchez, Ph.D. '85 - 2014
  • Michael L. Slack '73 - 2014
  • David S. Bodden '76 - 2015
  • Richard J. Matus, Ph.D. '80 - 2015
  • Rush Robinett III, Ph.D. '82 - 2015
  • Paul Hill '84 - 2016
  • Donald Ruhmann '86 - 2016
  • Hanspeter Schaub, Ph.D '92 - 2016
  • Kirk Shireman '85 - 2016
  • John Vassberg, Ph.D. '80 - 2016
  • Ryan P. Russell, Ph.D. '98 - 2017
  • Barbara J. Craig, Ph.D. '88 - 2018
  • David B. Kanipe '70 - 2018
  • Wayne A. Lutz '72 Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) - 2018
  • John E. Hurtado, Ph.D. - '91 - 2022
  • Robert Shotwell '95 - 2024

Aerospace Engineering Honorary Engineer Award

Presented to non-Texas A&M University alumni who have made major contributions to the engineering profession and whose support of the Department of Aerospace Engineering merits recognition.

  • H. Norman Abramson, Ph.D. - 2013
  • Howard W. Barlow, Ph.D. - 2013
  • James L. Rand, Ph.D. - 2013
  • Keith Ferris - 2014
  • Thomas Uriel McElmurry, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) - 2014
  • Oran W. Nicks - 2015
  • John Slattery - 2015
  • Leland Carlson, Ph.D. - 2016
  • Donald T. Ward, Ph.D., Col. USAF (Ret) - 2016
  • Eli Reshotko, Ph.D. - 2017
  • Joseph A. Schetz, Ph.D. - 2017
  • Robert G. Chilton - 2018
  • Diana Stanger - 2024

Distinguished Aerospace Engineering Alumni

Presented to an alumnus who is retired or near retirement with outstanding career records. This award recognizes sustained and meritorious contributions to engineering and engineering management.

  • Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge, Jr. '60 - 2009
  • Thomas Cogan '77 - 2011
  • Edelmiro "Ed" Muniz '67 - 2013
  • Leland Snow '52 - 2013
  • Norman "Ken" Dyson '60, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) - 2014
  • Mark A. Fischer '72 - 2014
  • Gerald "Gerry" D. Griffin '56 - 2014
  • Walter E. Haisler, Jr, Ph.D. '67 - 2014
  • Charles R. Haines, '57 - 2015
  • Benjamin "Ben" R. Smith '65 - 2015
  • Dennis Ray Deel '70 - 2016
  • Elaine Mendoza '87 - 2016
  • Wilbert D. "Doug" Pearson, Jr. '69 - 2017
  • Merri J. Sanchez, Ph.D. '85 - 2017
  • Douglas R. Cooke '73 - 2018
  • Bradley L. Worsham '88 - 2018
  • John V. Kenner '87 - 2018
  • Michael L. Slack '73 - 2018
  • William R. Wheeler '70 - 2020
  • Paul Romere '62 - 2022
  • Stephen Wilson '81, Gen. USAF - 2024