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 4,000 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.

If you are an alumnus or alumna, and would like to get on our mailing list, set up a visit, give us some news for the newsletter, or just say hi, please contact  Ms. Lisa Szuma. There is also a LinkedIn Group and a Facebook Group for Michigan Aero Alumni.  Join up to keep in touch!