October 3, 2007

Purdue names outstanding aerospace engineering alumni

The award, which was created to recognize the school's alumni for significant professional contributions to the field, will be presented at a 6:30 p.m. ceremony Thursday (Oct. 4) at the University Inn-Conference Center & Suites, 3001 Northwestern Ave.

"The Purdue University designation of Outstanding Aerospace Engineer recognizes the professional contributions of graduates from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and thanks them for the recognition that their success brings to Purdue and the school," said department head Thomas N. Farris. "Criteria for the award state that recipients must have demonstrated excellence in industry, academia, governmental service or other endeavors that reflect the value of an aerospace engineering degree. This celebration gives us a special opportunity to have our students interact with the best possible role models."

With this year's recipients, 115 graduates of the school have received the award since its inception in 1999. This number represents about 1.5 percent of the school's more than 7,000 alumni.

This year’s recipients are:

* Nancy L.B. Anderson of Irvine, Calif., who received a bachelor's degree in engineering science in 1961 and a master's degree in 1962. She retired as director of technical operations at Hughes Space & Communications (now The Boeing Co.).

* Thomas J. Beutner of Annandale, Va., earned a bachelor's degree from the school in 1987 and is program manager in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the tactical technology office in Arlington, Va.

* Steven C. Drury of Canberra, Australia, is the director general of airlift and training systems at the Defense Materiel Organization (Australia) and earned his master's degree in 1989.

* Rune C. Eliasen of Santa Barbara, Calif., earned his bachelor's degree in 1977 and retired as vice president of product planning for Ariba Inc.

* Michael W. Hyer of Blacksburg, Va., earned his master's degree in engineering science in 1966 and is the N. Waldo Harrison Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Virginia Tech University.

* Andrew H. Kasowski of Derby, Kan., is vice president of product development at the Cessna Aircraft Co. and earned his bachelor's degree in 1972.

* Miroslav A. Simo of Riverside, Ill., received his bachelor's degree in 1961 and is president and founder of New Archery Products Corp.

The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics has awarded degrees since 1943, and students have earned nearly 6,000 bachelor's degrees, 1,500 master's degrees and 480 doctoral degrees over its first 60 years. Of the 22 engineering graduates at Purdue who have become astronauts, 14 have been graduates of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The school's curriculum concentrates on the fundamental subject areas necessary to the research, development, design and operation of the aerospace industry.

Writer: Ann Broughton, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, (765) 494-5147, broughto@purdue.edu

Source: Thomas N. Farris, (765) 494-5117, farrist@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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