Louisiana Tech continues to receive national attention as a leader in cyberspace technology.
Most recently, Lt. Col. Dan Simonsen, Air Force ROTC commander and professor of aerospace studies, has been named the recipient of the 2007 Air Force Association’s ROTC Curriculum Development Award for his original curriculum program “Cyberspace and the Air Force Mission.”
“The lesson introduces cadets to third battle domain listed in the Air Force mission statement: cyberspace,” Simonsen said. “It sets the stage for the course. The first portion is designed to give the students an overview of what cyberspace is and its importance to society and the Air Force mission. The second portion highlights the nature of the threats in cyberspace. The third portion touches Air Force operations in cyberspace. The lesson concludes with a motivational pitch for students to become involved as professional war fighters in the Air Force’s cyberspace mission.”
Simonsen said he chose to develop a lesson plan on cyberspace because of its importance in society and to the Air Force mission.
The award is given annually to an AFROTC professor or assistant professor of aerospace studies by the Air Force Association, an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and its pivotal role in national security. The AFA educates the public about the critical role of aerospace power in national defense and advocates aerospace power along with a strong national defense.
Simonsen was the recipient of this award last year, as well, for his original curriculum “Airpower through World War I.”
In 2007, a new cyberspace technology center opened in Ruston through the combined efforts of Tech and Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge. The Center for Secure Cyberspace was created to assist Tech faculty members in their research and to support the U.S. Air Force if it decides to place its planned cyber center in Louisiana.
In a related event, the College of Engineering and Science will hold its 2008 annual convocation to provide a summary of the technology and strategy that will support the Air Force Cyber Command as it forms at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Howard Auditorium, Center for the Performing Arts with a special presentation, “Air Force Cyber Command: Transforming Warfare Byte by Byte,” led by Maj. Gen. Bill Lord, commander, Air Force Provisional Cyberspace Command, Barksdale Air Force Base.