WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management awarded 236 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