AFIT graduates Class of 2005

  • Published
  • By Kim Curry
  • Air Force Institute of Technology Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  More than 230 scientists and engineers received graduate and doctorate degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology here March 21. AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its 2005 graduation ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The graduating class was awarded 226 master’s degrees and eight doctorates.

“The commencement ceremony marks the culmination of a process that AFIT engages in on a daily basis,” said Brig. Gen. David W. Eidsaune, 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.”

The majority of the Class of 2005 were Air Force company grade officers; however, the institute also graduated eight Army officers, two Marine Corps officers, eight enlisted Airmen, and five civilians, as well as five international students from Australia, Bahrain and South Korea. Women comprised about 11 percent of the class. Four Naval officers also completed their academic coursework this quarter and will receive their master's degrees upon completion of the Naval Test Pilot School curriculum next year.

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.

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

In recognition of exceptional scholarship, character, initiative and leadership, First Lt. Jamie P. Sharkey received 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. Charles M. Gaona for leadership and accomplishing AFIT’s educational objectives in an outstanding manner.

Senior Master Sgt. Nanci Pigeon received the inaugural Secretary of the Air Force 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. (Courtesy of Air Force Institute of Technology News Service)