September 26, 2008

Aeronautics and Astronautics to honor 8 alumni

The award, given for significant contributions to the profession, will be presented Thursday (Oct. 2) at the Shively Club in the Ross-Ade Pavilion.

"This award acknowledges the professional contributions of the graduates and thanks them for the recognition that their success brings to Purdue and the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics," said Thomas N. Farris, the school's head. "The celebration gives us a special opportunity to have our students interact with the best possible role models."

Recipients must have demonstrated excellence in industry, academia, government service or other endeavors that reflect the value of an aerospace engineering degree.

With this year's recipients, 123 graduates have received the award since its inception in 1999.

This year's recipients are:

* Frank H. Bauer, Silver Spring, Md., who earned a bachelor's degree in 1979 and a master's in 1980. He is chief engineer for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters. He served as systems engineering chief of staff-technical for NASA's Constellation Program, represented NASA on global navigation satellite system strategy and policy, and served as chief of the Guidance, Navigation and Control Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

* Darryl W. Davis, Wildwood, Mo., who earned a bachelor's degree in 1978. He is the president of advanced systems for the Integrated Defense Systems unit of Boeing. Also at Boeing, he has served as vice president of Advanced Precision Engagement and Mobility Systems, vice president of Global Strike Solutions, and program manager for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems X-45. He also has held leadership positions with McDonnell Douglas. 

* Wayne A. Eckerle, Columbus, Ind., who earned a bachelor's degree in 1975 and a master's in 1976. He is vice president of corporate research and technology at Cummins in Columbus, Ind. Since joining Cummins in 1989, Eckerle has held positions in metrology, quality, fuel systems technology, thermal and fluid sciences, and advanced engineering. He previously worked at UTRC for 10 years and also was an associate professor at Clarkson University.

* Walter Eversman, Rolla, Mo., who earned a bachelor's degree in 1959. He is the Curators' Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Eversman also has worked for the Lockheed Missiles and Space, Boeing and GM/AC/Delphi. His primary research interests include aircraft turbofan engine noise generation and propagation, automotive engine noise control, and aircraft flutter and vibration.

* Troy M. Gaffey, Granbury, Texas, who earned a bachelor's degree in 1960. Gaffey retired from Bell Helicopter in 2003 after a 38-year career in the engineering department. He was chief engineer from 1991 to 2001. He initially specialized in rotorcraft dynamics and aero elasticity, moving into technology management and then project and general management.  Since retiring, Gaffey has consulted for NASA, the Defense Department and the rotorcraft industry. He is currently developing a small, personal-use helicopter based on integration of advanced technology.

* Markus B. Heinimann, New Alexandria, Pa., who earned a bachelor's degree in 1992, a master's in 1994 and a doctorate in 1997. He is chief design engineer for aerospace structures in the Product Design and Development Division of the Alcoa Technical Center. He leads the development and validation of advanced metallic and hybrid structural concepts for future commercial and military aircraft structures. Before joining Alcoa in 2002, Heinimann held various engineering positions at Cessna, including leading fatigue and damage tolerance activities during the development and certification of the Citation Sovereign business jet.

* Timothy A. Kinnan, Canton, Ga., who earned a master's degree in 1971. He is president of Wallace Lighthouse Consulting Group. Kinnan was in the U.S. Air Force for 34 years, retiring as a lieutenant general. During his military career he was a fighter pilot who commanded a squadron and two fighter wings, while holding key policy positions in the U.S. and overseas. He served as the Joint Chief's vice director for strategic plans and policy, and as the U.S. military representative to NATO. From 2004 to 2007, Kinnan worked for Lockheed Martin as vice president for Integrated Warfighter Solutions. He also served as chief operating officer for Verihelion, an entrepreneurial startup in Canton.

* Kenneth B. Sanger, Madison, Ala., who earned a bachelor's degree in 1981 and a master's in 1983. He is director and program manager for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense European Site Program at Boeing. He previously was director of C-17 Air Vehicle Operations and led various Boeing Global Mobility Systems engineering organizations, including C-17 avionics, flight controls and support equipment, and design office.

Writer: Judith Barra Austin, (765) 494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu

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

Ann Broughton, (765) 494-5147, broughto@purdue.edu

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

Note to Journalists: More information is available at https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE/AboutUs/
Alumni/oae/2008/index_html

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