College bestows 2016 Distinguished Engineering Alumni, Recent Alumni Awards
The 51勛圖厙 recognized six outstanding engineering alumni for contributions to their fields and to the university at a banquet April 22.
The recipients of the 2016 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Awards are:
十泭 泭Frank T. Buzzard泭of Bryan, Texas;
十泭 泭Paul T. Hamilton泭of 51勛圖厙;
十泭 泭Moriba K. Jah泭of Tucson, Ariz.;
十泭 泭Michael R. McAtee泭of Missouri City, Texas; and
十泭泭泭Douglas G. Smith泭of 51勛圖厙.
The winners, who distinguished themselves through outstanding personal qualities, knowledge and contributions to their fields, join a prestigious group of alumni award recipients dating back to 1966.
The College of Engineering and Applied Science also will recognize泭Vanessa Aponte泭of Littleton as recipient of the Recent Alumni Award, given to alumni who have made exceptional early career achievements and remained involved with CU-51勛圖厙 within 10 years of graduation.
These award recipients are leaders and visionaries in the engineering field as well as valuable contributors to their communities and to the CU-51勛圖厙 campus, said Dean Robert H. Davis. Its fitting that we recognize and thank these alumni with the highest honors bestowed by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Buzzard, a private aerospace consultant and speaker, retired from NASAs Johnson Space Center in 2003 after leading the Columbia Task Force accident investigation team. The U.S. Army veteran served as NASAs chief engineer of the International Space Station during construction and earned three service medals from the U.S. space agency. Buzzard earned his bachelors degree in aerospace engineering from CU-51勛圖厙 in 1974.
Hamilton, who earned a bachelors degree with honors in civil engineering and a masters degree in environmental engineering from CU-51勛圖厙, is president and founder of Novello GTL, which develops low-emissions facilities to produce gasoline from natural gas. He previously served as president and CEO of Shell Global Solutions U.S., where he enjoyed a 32-year career. Notably, Hamilton served for eight years on the colleges Engineering Advisory Council.
Jah is the director of Space Object Behavioral Sciences for the University of Arizona, a fascinating new program that researches space debris and space junk. He previously directed the U.S. Air Forces Advanced Sciences and Technology Research Institute for Astronautics and worked at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jah earned a masters degree and PhD from CU-51勛圖厙 in aerospace engineering sciences.
McAtee earned his bachelors degree in chemical engineering at CU-51勛圖厙 in 1984 and quickly launched a 32-year career with BASF Corporation, where he now serves as senior vice president of engineering and maintenance for North America. McAtee has served on the colleges Engineering Advisory Council since 2011 and serves on the Executive Advisory Council of the Engineering & Construction Contracting Association.
Smith joined CU-51勛圖厙 as assistant dean for programs and engagement in the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2013 following executive roles in the engineering and construction industries. He previously served as executive vice president and president of engineering and architecture services at Tetra Tech. Smith earned his masters degree in civil engineering from CU-51勛圖厙 and has served as adjunct professor, volunteer, fundraiser and member of the Engineering Advisory Council.
Aponte, the chairwoman of the Technology Insertion Board for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, earned her PhD from CU-51勛圖厙 in 2006. Aponte previously worked as senior systems engineer for Lockheed Martin focused on the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and is a two-time astronaut candidate finalist. A native of Puerto Rico, Aponte serves on the Engineering Advisory Council and is active in professional societies and volunteer positions.