December 17, 2012

AAE professors and alums honored with fellowships

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics recently elected as fellows Stephen Heister, the Raisbeck Engineering Distinguished Professor for Engineering and Technology Integration, and Kathleen Howell, the Hsu Lo Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Two alumni were also named AIAA fellows, Frank Bauer and James Raisbeck.

Bauer, who received the AAE's Outstanding Aerospace Engineering Award in 2008, received his BSAAE and MSAAE from Purdue in 1979 and 1980, respectively. He now is vice president for Strategic Programs; Emergent Space Technologies.

Raisbeck, the founder and chief executive officer of Raisbeck Engineering Inc. and Raisbeck Commercial Air Group Inc., both in Seattle, received the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 1979, the Outstanding Aerospace Engineering Award in 1999, and an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree at Purdue in 2005.

A third alumnus, William H. Gerstenmaier, was elected as Honorary AIAA Fellow. Since 2005, Gerstenmaier has served as the associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations for NASA.

According to AIAA, the title of honorary fellow, the highest distinction conferred by the institute, is granted to preeminent individuals who have had long and highly contributory careers in aerospace, and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics. The distinction of fellow is conferred upon AIAA members who have made notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics and astronautics.