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Academy recognizes Outstanding Educator and Heiser awards winners

U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs/May 16, 2017

The U.S. Air Force Academy celebrated its academic staff May 5 at the 41st Outstanding Academy Educator and Heiser Awards Ceremony.

Professors Aaron Byerley and Charles Steele were selected by senior cadets to receive the Heiser Award, named after Professor Emeritus Dr. William H. Heiser. Heiser was an honorary fellow for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2010, along with former Secretary of the Air Force Sheila Widnall.

“The Heiser Award highlights the high esteem our cadets hold for our professorial and academic staff,” said Dean of Faculty Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost. “They alone voted for these educators based on their leadership, their dedication to the art of teaching and ability to inspire excellence in all they do. Their influence on our cadets, our Academy and our Air Force, is immeasurable as we prepare to graduate the next class of Air Force leaders.”

The Heiser Award is given to faculty members who contribute to cadets’ development, inspiring them to work harder and promote the Air Force’s Core Values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, according to the award’s criteria.

Byerley, an engineering professor, has been on the Academy’s faculty for 25 years.

“I’m pretty amazed [about the award], given that most on the Academy faculty are excellent educators and role models,” he said. “I also feel incredibly lucky because, over the years, I have been enriched by fantastic colleagues who have taught with passion and concern for the students. And as a student, I was the beneficiary of many very patient teachers because I was rarely the quickest one in class to grasp the material. So in my own teaching, I try to embody the attributes of passion, concern and patience.”

Byerley considers the cadets’ vote to be positive feedback.

“Almost always, the cadets understand the responsibility they share in partnership with the faculty to learn and understand the material,” he said. “Most cadets are reasonably receptive to the need for hard work because they come to the Academy to be challenged and fulfill their human potential.”

Steele, a history professor, has been a faculty member since July 2006.

“I really can’t begin to express how much of an honor this is,” he said. “It may sound trite, but the fact that this award came from the cadets means everything to me.”

Byerley said the award validates his reasons for teaching.

“I am grateful for this recognition but I am even more grateful for the daily opportunity to spend time with cadets, as hopefully the kind of teacher who made such a positive impact on their life,” he said. “I doubt I will ever be able to fully overcome the sense of indebtedness I feel toward the many great people who helped me along the way.”

Steele said the award makes him believe his efforts to teach are paying off.

“I go through each semester trying to impress upon my cadets the importance of history,” he said. “This award makes me feel as if something resonated with at least some them. I wasn’t expecting this, but it is truly gratifying.”

 The Annual Outstanding Academy Educator Awards acknowledged 24 individuals of excellence: 21 from the Dean of Faculty, and one from each partner-Mission Element: the Commandant of Cadets, the Athletic Department, and the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Along with excellence in the classroom and mentoring cadets, these individuals have furthered the Academy mission to create officers of character through contributions across the institution.

Outstanding educators

This year’s outstanding educators are:

  • Col. Devin O’Dowd, aeronautics
  • Anna Gunn-Golkin, astronautics
  • Dr. Andy Katayama, behavioral sciences and leadership
  • Col. David Morris, biology
  • Nathan Ellsworth, chemistry
  • Danny Weeks, civil and environmental engineering
  • David Martin, Commandant of Cadets staff
  • Solomon Sonya, computer science
  • Dr. Constance Leonard, Dean of Faculty staff
  • Eric Cercone, economics and geosciences
  • Col. Benjamin Crossley, electrical and computer engineering
  • Col. Mike Anderson, Engineering mechanics department
  • Keidrick Roy, English and fine arts
  • Dr. Sam Whisman, foreign languages
  • Steve Czak, history
  • Elizabeth McDaniel, law
  • Col. Jesse Pietz, management
  • Dr. Ian Pierce, mathematical sciences
  • Army Lt. Col. Christopher Tatka, military and strategic studies
  • Logan Sisson, philosophy
  • Siobhain Kilgallen, physical education
  • Dr. Brian Patterson, physics
  • Kristin Pearson, political science
  • Suzi Park, Air Force Academy Preparatory School