The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering gathered students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for its annual Awards Celebration in April, an evening dedicated to celebrating achievement, service, and the MAE community.
The banquet represents months of coordination and teamwork across the department and beyond. Teams and individuals throughout the MAE community worked together to highlight the accomplishments of the department throughout the year. We extend special thanks to Melanie DeProspero for her leadership, guidance, and dedication in coordinating every stage of the event.
This year’s celebration was hosted by Interim Department Chair Douglas Spearot, Newton C. Ebaugh Professor in the department. Spearot welcomed attendees, gave updates on the department, and kicked off the celebration.
The program highlighted achievements across the department, beginning with faculty and staff recognitions, followed by student awards and scholarships celebrating academic excellence. Among the evening’s student honorees were Adam Hamdan and Natalie Perez, recipients of the Sung and Yvonne Lu Outstanding Senior Award recognizing exceptional achievement in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Student organizations also contributed video presentations that showcased their groups, activities, and impact throughout the year.
A hallmark of the awards celebration is the induction of new members to the Academy of Distinguished Alumni. This year six inductees were presented with the signature blue jackets, symbolizing their continued connection to the department.
The 2026 Distinguished Alumni Inductees:
William “Scott” Bowman: Chief Technology Officer, AeroVironment, Inc. (MSME 2008, BSEE 2006)
Stephanie R. Buskirk Dudley: NASA Moon to Mars Program Exploration Operations Deputy Director, NASA (MEISE 2005, MSBME 2002, BSES 2001)
Nic Fischer: Chief Technology Officer, Agtonomy (PhD 2012, MSME 2010, BSME 2008)
Pedro J. Mago: Glen H. Hiner Dean, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University (PhD 2003, MSME 2000)
Luis Sierra: Retired CEO, NOVA Chemicals; Board Member, Steel Dynamics (BSME 1986)
Matthew Sobieski: Founder and Managing Director, Factory Focus, LLC (BSAE 2009, BSME 2009)
The keynote address was delivered by Pedro Mago, Dean of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering Mineral Resources at West Virginia University and one of the newly named Distinguished Alumni members. Mago earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from UF MAE and his bachelor’s degree from Universidad de Oriente. He went on to build an academic career that includes faculty and leadership roles at Mississippi State University before becoming dean at WVU. Mago delivered a heartfelt keynote address, reflecting on his journey from UF MAE to national leadership in engineering education and research.
With gratitude to everyone who attended and to those who worked behind the scenes, the department celebrates another successful year of achievement, collaboration, and community.