Reston, Va.– AIAA presented its highest awards at the Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala May 15, 2007, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.
AIAA President Dr. Paul Nielsen stated, “Encouraging and recognizing outstanding achievement is one of the primary goals of AIAA, as is bringing together the entire aerospace community. The gala was a magnificent event that achieved both – 500 guests gathered to salute the honorees from academia, government and industry. We congratulate the 2007 award recipients and the Fellows and Honorary Fellows.”
The evening began with a lively reception at which guests enjoyed music from Empire Jazz. The Miles Stiebel Strolling Strings called guests into the banquet room and, as is AIAA’s tradition, the gala opened with presentation of the colors by the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard accompanied by the U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass Quintet.
Dr. Nielsen welcomed the evening’s guests with presentation of the 2007 AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows. All were recognized and congratulated for their achievements.
After dinner Dr. Nielsen presented the prestigious AIAA awards, which are the highest awards that the Institute bestows.
The AIAA Awards:
AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence: Gordon Bethune, Continental Airlines (Retired)
Daniel Guggenheim Medal: Robert G. Loewy, Georgia Institute of Technology
Goddard Astronautics Award: Michael D. Griffin, NASA
Reed Aeronautics Award: Meyer (Mike) Benzakein, The Ohio State University
International Cooperation Award: Graham Gibbs, Canadian Space Agency
Public Service Award: David L. Hobson, U. S. Congress, Ohio 7th Congressional District
Distinguished Service Award: William W. Vaughan, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Barry M. Goldwater Educator Award (sponsored by the National Capital Section): David Thompson, Orbital Sciences Corporation
AIAA Foundation Educator Achievement Awards:
Kareen Borders, Key Peninsula Middle School, Lakebay, Washington
Russ Billings, Kearsley High School, Flint, Michigan
Lori Derf, Sol C. Johnson High School, Savannah, Georgia
Richard Glueck, Orono Middle School, Orono, Maine
Ricardo Soria, Chocawhatchee High School, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Timothy Spuck, Oil City Area Senior High School, Oil City, Pennsylvania
Nancy Tashima, Konawaena High School/Onizuka Space Center, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
AIAA’s honors and awards program is extensive, providing many opportunities for recognition of notable and significant contributions by members. The institute is now accepting nominations for its highest awards; the nomination deadline is October 1, 2007.
For more information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program, please contact Carol Stewart at carols@aiaa.org or at 703/264-7623.
Photos of the award recipients are available to media by contacting Sharon Grace, sharong@aiaa.org
AIAA advances the state of aerospace science, engineering, and technological leadership. Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., the Institute serves over 35,000 members in 65 regional sections and 79 countries. AIAA membership is drawn from all levels of industry, academia, private research organizations, and government. For more information, visit http://www.aiaa.org.