Alumni & Friends
CONNECT. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
The University of Michigan started the first collegiate aeronautics program in the United States in 1914, just 11 years after the Wright Brothers’ first controlled, powered flights at Kitty Hawk.
Since then, the Department has graduated more than 6,000 aeronautical and aerospace engineers. Our alumni have gone on to distinguished careers in essentially all areas of the aerospace enterprise, in related fields, in government and in academia.
Five were astronauts who orbited Earth. Three went to the moon.
Ed White (MSE 1959) made the first spacewalk by an American.
Jack Lousma (BSE 1959, PhD 1973) commanded Skylab and piloted the third space shuttle flight.
Jim McDivitt (BSE 1959, PhD 1965) commanded Apollo 9 and was Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program for Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
Clarence “Kelly” Johnson (BSE 1932, MSE 1933) is widely considered one of America’s greatest aircraft designers. He went on to establish the legendary Lockheed Skunk Works, and led in the creation of aircraft such as the P-38, the F-104, the U-2 and the SR-71.
More than 20 alumni have been employed with SpaceX and were involved with the Dragon mission.
Learn more about our history: read Bicentennial website stories.
Alumni Spotlight: “You know your heart and you know your passion. So you call the shots. It is your future and nobody else’s. So don’t be discouraged by anyone.”—Sydney Hamilton, Aerospace Engineering, BSAE ‘13.
MICHIGAN AEROSPACE ALUMNI NEWS
How UM alumni Christina Harvey is planning to use her BIRD lab to explore maneuverability in aircraft design
Congratulations to Janki Patel for becoming one of the first “Sustainability Ambassadors” at NASA.
Reflecting on his experience, an alum funds other first gen students
Julie Bellerose’s career spanned two continents, three countries and a vast array of incredible missions.
Kip Daugirdas (‘08) is breaking records in amateur rocketry.
Knowing aviation was her future, Duke leveraged expertise in aerodynamics to lead operational fleet design at Pratt & Whitney
A non-traditional U-M student, Arcusa shows how U-M prepared her for a stellar career
Elliott on finding inspiration in gas turbine engines, restarting her career and being a change agent.
U-M Alumnae selected for Blue Origin launch
Jim McDivitt, U-M Alum and Astronaut
GIVE ONLINE
Become a victor for Aerospace Engineering!
