AFIT Class of 2008 graduates

  • Published
  • By Kim Curry
  • Air Force Institute of Technology Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  Seventy-two scientists, engineers and management specialists are the recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its June 2008 graduation ceremony June 19 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Sixty six master's degrees and six doctorates were awarded to the graduates.

Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore, commander of the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing here, delivered the commencement address.  He told the graduates that in his 30 years of putting on the uniform, he had always admired AFIT graduates. 

"AFIT has a reputation as one of the toughest graduate schools in the nation," he said. "When you leave here, you are in a position to shape the 21st century. So my challenge to you is to think big and think creatively." 

Once Gen. Moore offered his final congratulations, AFIT Commandant Brig. Gen. Paula G. Thornhill passed out diplomas to the master's students.  The doctoral students were specially recognized.  They included:  Maj. Jason A. Girard, Maj. Victor P. Hubenko Jr., Lt. Col. John W. McClory, Elizabeth A. Moore, Lt. Col. Matthew D. Sambora and Maj. Reginald J. Turne.

Air Force officers composed the majority of the Class of June 2008; however, the Institute also graduated seven Navy officers, five Army officers, one Air Force enlisted, and 13 civilians, along with three international students from the countries of Turkey and the Republic of Korea. Upon graduation, most AFIT students will fill technical positions requiring advanced academic degrees in their respective fields of study from across the Department of Defense.

Two students were recognized for their exemplary performance during their graduate studies. In recognition of his exceptional scholarship and high qualities of character, initiative, and leadership, Lt. Col. Evan Pettus was the recipient of the Mervin E. Gross Award, named in honor of Brig. Gen. Mervin E. Gross, first commandant of the institute. The Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr. Award, named in honor of Lt. Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr., member of the institute's first graduating class and father of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, was presented to Maj. Sean Murphy for demonstrating strong personal leadership and accomplishing AFIT's education objectives in an outstanding manner.

Department Of Mathematics and Statistics

Master of Science
Ms. Melody Leanne Massar

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Master of Science
Mr. Serafin Avitia
Capt. Fernando Ontiveros
Mr. Matthew A. Zimmerman

Master of Cyber Warfare
Maj. Charles Cosnowski
Maj. Michael J. Good (US Army)
Maj. Michael G. Hunsberger
Maj. Thomas Means
Mr. William J. Morgan
Maj. Tara J. Muehe
Maj. Sean D. Murphy *
Maj. Raymond R. Newbill
Maj. Paul Orth
Maj. Keith Repik
Maj. Michael D. Whiting

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Capt. Eugene B. Hockenberry

Department of Engineering Physics

Master of Science
Capt. Greggory James Gruen
DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONAL SCIENCES

Master of Science
First Lt. Alper Gezeravci (Turkey)
First Lt. Yasar G. Ozen (Turkey)

Master of Logistics Sciences
Maj. Scott D. Grant (US Army)
Maj. George C. Hackler (US Army)
Maj. James M. Kimbrough (US Army)
Maj. Matthew D. Kovich
Maj. Kenneth A. Marentette *
Maj. John D. Norton
Lt. Col. Evan L. Pettus *
Maj. Richard V. Steele

Master of Science in Logistics Management
Capt. SeYoung Kim (Republic of Korea)

Department of Systems and Engineering Management

Master of Science
Capt. Alice M. Long
Maj. Donald G. Sheesley
Master Sgt. Billy D. Tramel Jr.
First Lt. Stefanie Van Dyk

Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Maj. Brian C. Barker *
Ms. Trina L. Bornejko
Maj. Kyle D. Brown
Maj. Christopher Couluris
Maj. Lyle M. Dawley
Maj. John W. Eller *
Maj. Charles G. Glasscock
Maj. Brian Hazel
Maj. Adam W. Little
Maj. Lenore A. Marentette
Mr. Matthew T. Muha
Mr. Brendan D. Rooney
Maj. Dennis R. Sprenkle
Maj. Jonathan E. Zall *

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Master of Science
Capt. Jason C. Chism
Capt. Benjamin T. Harder

Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering
Lt. Commander Barth H. Boyer (US Navy)
Lt. David S. Evans (US Navy) *
Ensign Patrick J. Lakusta (US Navy)
Ensign Jonathan R. Mason (US Navy)
Lt. Eric A. Nagley (US Navy)
First Lt. Lindell E. Pearson
Ensign Troy H. Vantrease (US Navy)
Ensign Vaughn A. Villarreal (US Navy)

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering
Capt. John F. Ownby
Ms. Jessica A. Steinberger

Doctor of Philosophy
Maj. Jason A. Girard
Maj. Victor P. Hubenko Jr.
Lt. Col. John W. McClory (US Army)
Ms. Elizabeth A. Moore
Lt. Col. Matthew D. Sambora
Maj. Reginald J. Turner

(In Absentia)

Master of Cyber Warfare
Maj. Daniel E. Rauch *

Master of Science in Engineering Management
First Lt. Andrew B. Burris

Master of Science in Systems Engineering
Mr. Jeffrey A. Alexander
Ms. Martha Charles-Vickers
Maj. David R. O'Malley
Mr. Talbot L. Smith
Mr. Michael S. Vickers

Master of Logistics Sciences
Mr. Jeffrey B. Daniel

* Denotes Distinguished Graduate