Grads in STEM Panel. )", "Curtis L. Brown, Jr. (Colonel, USAF, Ret. Commissioner, Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, Boston, MA (1983-2000). Bricks and mortar, books and buildings, staff and faculty can exert great influence on a school's reputation, but the final measure of a university's worth is how well its students perform after graduation. Alumni range from Harry Chapin to Reichen Lehmkuhl. Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America, Birthplace: Elizabethtown, North Carolina, Birthplace: South Ruislip, United Kingdom, Birthplace: Mount Clemens, Michigan, United States of America, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America. 1972 Third Team and 1974 Second Team All American soccer player. [6] Thirty-nine Academy graduates have become astronauts, second among institutions of higher learning only to the United States Naval Academy with 52. )", "Sidney M. Gutierrez (Colonel, USAF, Ret. [5], This list is drawn from graduates, non-graduate former cadets, current cadets, and faculty of the Air Force Academy. Recognized by the Texas Associated Press in 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2008 and by the Houston Press Club in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Cadet Life. Played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League. last= Pizzarello )", "Sidney M. Gutierrez (Colonel, USAF, Ret. Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy (2013–); Pilot of STS-51-B; Commanded STS-33 and STS-44; Former Deputy Administrator and former acting Administrator for NASA; first African American to command any space vehicle, Pilot of STS-29 and STS-33; Commanded STS-43 and STS-58, also flew a long-duration spaceflight on the Mir space station, Major General; Pilot of STS-51-F; Director of the Kennedy Space Center (1997–2003) and Director of Langley Research Center (2003–2005), Pilot of STS-36; Commanded STS-54, STS-62 and STS-77, Pilot of STS-51-I and STS-26; Commanded STS-38 and STS-61, Pilot of STS-44 and STS-55; Commanded STS-70 and STS-78, Mission Specialist on STS-30, STS-64 and STS-82; Payload Commander of STS-47, Mission Specialist on STS-39, Pilot of STS-54 and Commanded STS-66, Major General; Mission Specialist on STS-60 and STS-76; Former Undersecretary of the United States Air Force, Pilot of STS-45 and STS-57; Commanded STS-72 and STS-92, Mission Specialist on STS-59, STS-80 and STS-98; Payload Commander on STS-68, Mission Specialist on STS-55; Pilot of STS-71; Commanded STS-84 and STS-91, Pilot of STS-47, STS-66 and STS-77; Commanded STS-85, STS-95 and STS-103, Pilot of STS-65 and STS-74; Commanded STS-83, STS-94 and STS-101, Pilot of STS-70 and STS-78; Commanded STS-87 and STS-99, Pilot of STS-58 and STS-76; Commanded STS-90, Lieutenant General; Mission Specialist on STS-54, STS-64, STS-78 and STS-101; Flight Engineer of International Space Station Expedition 2, Pilot of STS-86 and STS-97; Commanded STS-110, Pilot of STS-87 and STS-95; Commanded STS-104, STS-121 and STS-133, Mission Specialist on STS-118 and STS-133. Played for 1976 U.S. Olympic Soccer Team. The curriculum emphasizes the sciences and engineering fields. The Academy was established in 1954, entered its first class in 1955, and graduated its first class in 1959. )", "Terence T. Henricks (Colonel, USAF, Ret. View event. YOUNG ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARD Each spring, the Association of Graduates has the pleasure of honoring graduates who attended the United States Air Force Academy within the last 15 years with our Young Alumni Excellence Award.