More than 270 scientists, engineers and management specialists received graduate and doctorate degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology. AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its 2006 graduation ceremony March 21 on the school’s campus. The graduating class was awarded 268 master’s degrees and five doctorates.

Lt. Gen. Dennis R. Larsen, Air Education and Training Command vice commander, delivered the commencement address to the 273 graduates.

“The commencement ceremony marks the culmination of a process that AFIT engages in on a daily basis,” said Brig. Gen. Mark T. Matthews, AFIT commandant. “That is, providing our nation with the future officer, enlisted and civilian leaders it needs to remain the most technologically advanced and dominant military force in the world today.”

Air Force officers composed the majority of the Class of March 2006; however, the Institute also graduated eight Air Force enlisted, six Army officers, three Marine Corps officers and five civilians, along with five international students from Australia, Morocco and South Korea. Upon graduation, most AFIT students will fill technical positions requiring advanced academic degrees in their respective fields of study from across DOD.

Four students were recognized for their exemplary performance during their graduate studies. The Commandant’s Award was presented to Capt. Steven Ross, who demonstrated the most exceptional individual master’s thesis research.

In recognition of his exceptional scholarship and high qualities of character, initiative and leadership, Flt. Lt. Piotr Baizert of Australia 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 Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Ivey for demonstrating strong personal leadership and accomplishing AFIT’s education objectives in an outstanding manner.

Finally, Senior Master Sgt. Steven Cross received the inaugural Secretary James G. Roche Award for demonstrating exceptional academic achievement through a combination of grade point average and outstanding thesis, as well as high qualities of character, initiative, leadership and service while in a master’s graduate program.