Professor Bill Crossley will be named in the 2025 class of AIAA Fellows. Crossley has been on the faculty at Purdue since 1995, and since 2019 has led the school as the Uhrig & Vournas Head of Aeronautics and Astronautics. AIAA cites his leadership in education, workforce development, and research, including directing the FAA’s PEGASAS Center of Excellence

“This prestigious honor is a testament to Prof. Crossley's exceptional contributions to aerospace and reflects the high regard in which he is held by one of our primary professional societies,” says AAE professor Li Qiao. “The selection of AIAA Fellows is highly competitive and limited in number, making this recognition even more significant.”

The official induction ceremony for fellows and honorary fellows will take place during the AIAA Awards Gala in April 2025. The ceremony will make Crossley one of just 2,092 persons worldwide who have been elected as an AIAA Fellow in the organization's history. AIAA is the largest professional society for aerospace engineers and has approximately 30,000 current members.

The title of AIAA Fellow is conferred for “notable and valuable contributions” to the field of aeronautics and astronautics. Dan Hastings, AIAA president, said in the official announcement, “These distinguished individuals have earned the respect and admiration of the global science and engineering community. We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions that have advanced aerospace.”

In addition, several AAE faculty will receive awards and honors from AIAA during the 2025 SciTech Forum in January.

• Distinguished professor Robert Lucht will receive the AIAA Propellants and Combustion Award, “For numerous contributions to combustion, propulsion, and power generation through innovative development of advanced laser diagnostics and applying them to practical energy systems.”
• Distinguished professor Stephen Heister will receive the J. Leland Atwood award, “For his transformative impact on the aerospace industry in revitalizing Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratory, and mentoring leaders currently developing advanced rocket and airbreathing propulsion systems.” Heister is also retiring after the Fall 2024 semester.
• Associate professors Carolin Frueh and Kawai Kwok will be officially inducted to the 2025 class of AIAA Associate Fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field.