The UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering gathered at the Wayne J. Reitz Union’s Rion Ballroom for a vibrant evening of celebration, honoring the outstanding achievements of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Dr. Warren Dixon warmly welcomed the crowd as guests enjoyed dinner, lively conversation, and a shared sense of pride in the UF MAE community. Keynote speaker Tom Singer, a proud Gator Engineer and leader in structural engineering, inspired the audience with stories of mentorship, ingenuity, and even the unexpected complexities of the world of curling. Six new members were proudly inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni, each receiving the iconic blue jacket in a tradition that celebrates excellence and impact. Guests also enjoyed creative video submissions from MAE’s student organizations, highlighting the spirit and innovation that define the department. Special thanks go to the incredible staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the evening unforgettable. Heartfelt gratitude extends to every Gator Engineer—whether attending in person, contributing from afar, or cheering on the community—whose spirit, excellence, and commitment continue to make MAE a place of pride and inspiration.
2025 Distinguished Alumni Inductees:
Carlos Fernandez: Analyst, Upstream Acquisitions and Divestments ExxonMobil (BS 2005)
Benjamin Griffin: Senior VP of Research Partnerships, Applied Research Institute; Senior Advisor for Strategic Research Development to the College of Engineering, Purdue University (BS 2003, MS 2006, PhD 2009)
Baron Johnson: Chief Engineer, AeroVironment, Inc.; Adjunct Faculty, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (BS 2007, MS 2009, PhD 2011)
Brandon Krick: Associate Professor, Florida State University (BS 2007, PhD 2012)
Oscar Martinez: Senior Research and Development Staff, Nuclear Materials Packaging, Transportation, and Systems Analysis Group Leader, Program Manager for Package Testing Program; Oak Ridge National Laboratory (BS 2003, MS 2004, PhD 2007)
Tom Singer: Structural Analysis Section Manager, Northrop Grumman (BS 2002)
Photos captured by our event photographer are now available to attendees!
We invite you to share your photos with us!
Faculty and Staff: upload to our Dropbox here
Guests: please email to news@mae.ufl.edu
Thank You from MAE!
If you enjoyed the music during the event, you can access the playlist here!
