Air University’s Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (AU AFIT GSEM) recognized the achievements of more than 50 master’s students from the graduating class of March 2026. Faculty members were also recognized with awards for their outstanding support to student success.
Air University is the U.S. Air Force’s center for professional military education. AFIT, a component of Air University, provides in-residence and distance learning graduate degrees and certificates in engineering, applied science, mathematics and management. AFIT’s GSEM provides its students with several significant advantages, including a more personalized educational experience, academic programs with a defense-related focus, and research on high-priority defense problems.
Awards Selected by Students
The Ivan B. Thompson Award recognizes the member of the graduating class who has shown exceptional service to the class, school, community, and Air Force. The March 2026 winner was 2nd Lt. Aaron Bonner (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering).
The Ohio ETA Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the National Engineering Honor Society, sponsored the Tau Beta Pi Best Thesis Award. This award recognizes the master’s student whose thesis was judged to make a significant contribution to the engineering community. The March 2026 winner was Capt. Luke Grossman, Army (Master of Science Operations Research).
The Dr. Leslie M. Norton Teaching Excellence Award is given to a faculty member in honor of commitment and service to the graduating class. The March 2026 winner was Lt. Col. Robert Bettinger, associate professor of aerospace engineer.
Regional Association and Society Awards
The Dayton Chapter of the International Society of Logistics (S.O.L.E.) sponsored the Jerome G. Peppers Jr., Outstanding Student Award. The award is named after Professor Jerome Peppers who made significant contributions to the field of logistics. This award is given to a member of each graduating class whose academic and research contributions to the field of logistics are judged to be superior. The March 2026 winner was Capt. Daniel Schott, (Master of Science Logistics and Supply Chain Management).
The Dayton/Miami Valley Chapter of the Project Management Institute sponsored the Project Management Institute Thesis Award, Dr. Martin D. Martin and Dr. John Adams Thesis Award given to the author of the thesis that best addresses a project management topic and is judged to be an outstanding research effort in terms of its contribution to the project management body of knowledge. The March 2026 winner was Lt. Tevin Miller (Master of Science Acquisition and Program Management).
The Dr. James T. Moore Graduate Research Prize (MORS), sponsored by the Military Operations Research Society, is named after Dr. Moore who served for 21 years at AFIT as Professor and Department Head, Operational Sciences. This award is 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. The March 2026 winner was Maj. Daniel Delaney (Master of Science Data Science).
The MASCOM National Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) Committee Academic Excellence Award was presented on behalf of the Center for Technical Intelligence Studies and Research to the graduate student whose thesis paper best exemplifies research and analysis of a MASINT subject. The March 2026 winner was Tech. Sgt. Keaton Caudill, Reserves.
The Dayton-Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) sponsored the AIAA Graduate Student Award for Service Excellence to recognize outstanding service to the aerospace profession in general, and the Dayton-Cincinnati Section of AIAA in specific. The March 2026 recipient was Senior Master Sgt. Deng Pour, (Master of Science Space Systems).
The Air Force Historical Foundation’s General Bryce Poe II Award is given to a student or group of students whose thesis contributes to an understanding of the historical factors affecting an Air Force or Department of Defense problem, event, or process. The March 2026 recipient was Capt. Colin Pate (Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering).
The Society of American Military Engineers Kittyhawk Chapter sponsored the Society of American Military Engineers (S.A.M.E.) Award. This award is given to the student in the engineering management program who demonstrates superior scholarship, outstanding leadership, character, and initiative. The award criterion also considers the student's overall performance and ability to work with faculty and fellow students. The March 2026 winner was Capt. Kelsee Stevens (Master of Science in Engineering Management).
The Air Force Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence and Center for Cyberspace Research Excellence Award is given to the student whose master’s level research is judged the best in advancing Air Force capabilities in cyberspace. The March 2026 winner was Capt. Renan Machado De Oliveira, Brazilian Air Force (Master of Science Cyber Operations).
The Dayton Section of the Institute of Navigation sponsored the Navigation Research Excellence Award that is awarded for the master’s thesis reflecting the most exceptional research contributing to scientific or engineering knowledge in the navigation area. The March 2026 recipient was Lt. Ethan Ward, (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering).
The Dayton International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA) Chapter sponsored the ICEAA Thesis Award. This award is presented to the author of the thesis which best qualifies both as an outstanding research effort and as a significant contribution to the development and/or application of cost analysis or cost accounting. The March 2026 recipient was Lt. Joshua Band, (Master of Science Cost Analysis).
The International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) presented the Best Light-Based Thesis. This award for excellence in optics and photonics research recognizes the best light-based thesis of a graduating master’s student. The March 2026 winner was Capt. Alex Harms (Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering).
The Military and Security Society of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) sponsored the Dr. George S. Parnell Military and Security Research Award. This award is given to the author of a thesis focused on a military or security problem that is judged to make a meaningful theoretical contribution to the discipline of operations research. The March 2026 award winner was Capt. Kyle Daley, (Master of Science Data Science).
The Society of American Military Engineers Kittyhawk Chapter sponsored the Office of the Air Force Civil Engineer, George K. Dimitroff Award. This award is presented annually to the author of the thesis judged to have made the most significant contribution to the Air Force civil engineering career field. The March 2026 winner was Capt. Nicole Demoret (Master of Science Engineering Management).
The Air University Certificate and Badge recognizes graduating international students on behalf of Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley, AU commander and president. Pictured are Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley, commander and president of Air University, Luke Cropsey, military deputy, office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics and AU AFIT leadership with international graduates from AU AFIT GSEM’s March 2026 graduation (U.S. Air Force contributed photo)
The March 2026 AU certificate and badge recipients were:
Maj. Benito Augusto de Laia Silva, Brazilian Air Force (Master of Science Cyber Operations)
Maj. Renan Machado de Oliveira, Brazilian Air Force (Master of Science Cyber Operations)
Capt. Sebastian Cifuentes Valdebenito, Chilean Air Force (Master of Science Electrical Engineering)
Capt. Pablo Andres Figueroa, Chilean Air Force (Master of Science Astronautical Engineering)
Lt. Matias Andres Cisternas, Chilean Air Force (Master of Science Space Systems)
Capt. Alonso Javier Vásquez Cástañeda, Chilean Air Force, (Master of Science Space Systems)
Capt. Ayelet Blank-Koplon, Israeli Air Force (Master of Science Systems Engineering)
Maj. Dor Kleinfeld, Israeli Air Force (Mater of Science Operations Research)
Capt. Laine Grace Jetson-Fenton, Royal Australian Air Force (Master of Science Electrical Engineering)
Lt. Abdullah Khalid A. Albrethen, Royal Saudi Air Force (Master of Science Computer Science)
Graduate School of Engineering and Management Awards
In August 2002, under the leadership of Air Force Secretary James G. Roche, AFIT enrolled its first class of 16 non-commissioned officers into the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. This award was created to honor the top enlisted student. The Secretary James G. Roche Award is 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. The March 2026 winner was Master Sgt. Andrew Swanson (Master of Science Data Science).
The Louis F. Polk Award recognizes the student who has made an advanced contribution in their professional field. The winner of this award has 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. The March 2026 award winner was Maj. Scott Lorette, Army (Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering).
The Mervin E. Gross 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. Following World War II, Brigadier General Mervin E. Gross was responsible for reorganizing the Air Corps Engineering School as the Air Force Institute of Technology. The March 2026 award winner was Capt. Patrick Dougherty (Master of Science in Systems Engineering).
The Lt. Col. Charles P. Brothers, Jr. Outstanding Volunteer Service Award was awarded to Dr. Marcus Polanka, professor of aerospace engineering. This award 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. At the time of his death, Lt. Col. Brothers was serving on the faculty of AFIT’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He believed that by donating one’s time and talents to the community, an individual truly demonstrates the qualities of character, integrity, and team spirit. We honor Lt Col Brothers’ spirit of service through this award.
The Lieutenant Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr. Award is sponsored by the Wright Memorial Chapter of the Air Force Association and is named in honor of Lt. Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr.; a member of the institute’s first graduating class of 1920, and upon graduation became AFIT’s first Vice Commandant. This award recognizes the student who has displayed the most exceptional leadership characteristics while in the graduate program. The March 2026 award winner was Capt. Pablo Figueroa, Chilean Air Force (Master of Science Astronautical Engineering).
Dean's Award
The Dean’s Award recognizes the most exceptional master’s thesis by a graduating student within each academic department. Award determination is based on the master’s thesis reflecting the most exceptional contribution to scientific, management, or engineering knowledge. Each individual was competitively selected by their respective academic department.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Maj. Travis Salter, U.S. Space Force (Master of Science Applied Mathematics)
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Capt. Alexander Mundy (Master of Science in Cyber Operations)
Department of Engineering Physics
Capt. Samuel Foster (Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering)
Department of Operational Sciences
2d Lt. Chris Rafnson (Master of Science Data Science)
Department of Systems Engineering and Management
Capt. Benjamin Ainsworth (Master of Science Cost Analysis)
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Capt. Alex Harms (Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering)
From the collection of Dean’s Award recipients, one overall winner is chosen to receive the Chancellor’s Award. The Chancellor’s Award is presented to the graduating student who produced the most exceptional master’s thesis. The March 2026 Chancellor’s Award and Russ Prize recipient, sponsored by the AFIT Foundation, was Capt. Alexander Mundy, department of electrical and computer engineering (Master of Science Cyber Operations).
Air University’s Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (AU AFIT GSEM) recognized the achievements of more than 50 master’s students from the graduating class of March 2026. Pictured are Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley, commander and president of Air University, Luke Cropsey, military deputy, office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics and AU AFIT leadership with distinguished graduates from AU AFIT GSEM’s March 2026 (U.S. Air Force contributed photo)
The AFIT Chancellor is authorized to designate no more than 10 percent of each graduating class as Distinguished Graduates. This award recognizes students that have not only excelled in their program of study, but demonstrated leadership and teamwork and embodied the core values inherent to military and civilian service. The DGs for March 2026 were:
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Lt. Dylan Bott (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering)
Capt. Alexander Mundy (Master of Science Cyber Operations)
Capt. Robert Kramer (Master of Science in Computer Engineering)
Maj. Renan Machado de Oliveira (Master of Science Cyber Operations)
2d Lt. Caleb Stilp (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering)
Department of Operational Sciences
Maj. Dor Kleinfeld, Israeli Air Force (Master of Science Operations Research)
Department of Engineering Management
Capt. Benjamin Ainsworth (Master of Science Cost Analysis)
Lt. Adrianna Blenkush (Master of Science in Systems Engineering)
Capt. Patrick Dougherty (Master of Science in Systems Engineering)
Lt. Jordan Graham (Master of Science Acquisition and Program Management)
2d Lt. Alise Macdonald (Master of Science in Engineering Management)
2d Lt. Kaitelyn Haynes (Master of Science in Engineering Management)
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Capt. Tanner Barber, U.S. Marine Corps (Master of Science Aeronautical Engineering)
2d Lt. Edward Blaney (Master of Science Aeronautical Engineering)
2d Lt. Elliot Potter (Master of Science Aeronautical Engineering)
Air University is the U.S. Air Force’s center for professional military education. AFIT’s GSEM, a component of Air University, provides in-residence and distance learning graduate degrees and certificates in engineering, applied science, mathematics and management. GSEM provides its students with several significant advantages, including a more personalized educational experience, academic programs with a defense-related focus, and research on high-priority defense problems.
AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage https://www.afit.edu/ or contact GSEM outreach, AFIT.EN.Outreach@us.af.mil .