Academy of Distinguished Alumni

Group of Academy of Distinguished Alumni honorees smiling and doing hook 'em horns hand signs during 2025 awards banquet.

The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics (ASE/EM) Academy of Distinguished Alumni in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin was established to honor graduates of the aerospace, computational and engineering mechanics programs who have led distinguished careers in industry, government or academia, and to recognize their outstanding accomplishments.

Our Most Recent Honorees

Learn more about the ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni’s most recent honorees.

About 2026 honorees

Academy of Distinguished Alumni Board Members

President

Dan Deans

President and Chief Operating Officer
MORI Associates
Vice President

George Davis

Founder and CEO
Emergent Space Technologies, Inc
Director of Membership

Andrea Chavez

Bell Engineering Talent Management Team, University and STEM Collaborations
Bell Flight
Permanent Secretary-treasurer

Clint Dawson

Department Chair and Professor
The University of Texas at Austin
Past President

Byron Tapley

Professor Emeritus
The University of Texas at Austin

2026 Gold Sponsors

Thank you to our Gold Sponsors for supporting the 2026 banquet and induction ceremony:

  • Cathy & Dan Deans
  • George & Elizabeth Davis
  • Michael Watkins
  • Mori Associates
  • Tom & Mimi McKnight
  • Vinci Felix
  • Wallace Fowler
About banquet sponsorship
2026 Academy of Distinguished Alumni honorees smiling together with department chair Clint Dawson.
Latest

Academy of Distinguished Alumni Stories

All News
Questions?

Contact Us

Andrea Tinning
Andrea Tinning
Senior Alumni/Industry Engagement Coordinator