June 28, 2024

Award-winning professor employs novel teaching methods

Cadets learn using a 3D model developed by Dr. Shelby Stanhope, a Mathematical Sciences associate professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (Courtesy photo.) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – When Dr. Shelby Stanhope first took up an associate professor position at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Multivariable Calculus was infamous. What is called a “barrier course” for cadets interested in STEM disciplines, Col. Scott Williams, the Academy’s Department of Mathematical Sciences head, said Calculus 3 was a make-or-break point in a STEM major’s academic career and would often determine...

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July 15, 2024

The in-processing breakdown: Class of 2028, by the numbers

Class of 2028 basic cadets march on the Terrazzo July 2, 2024. The class’s ethnic and racial percentage equals the Class of 2026 rate as the most diverse class in U.S. Air Force Academy history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Ethnic and racial minorities comprise 38% of the Class of 2028, making it one of the top two diverse classes in U.S. Air Force Academy history. Two years ago, the Class of 2026 also arrived with the same ethnic and racial percentage. Class...

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July 24, 2024

Grads made their impact on Olympic Games

Alonzo Babers, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1983, won two gold medals for U.S. Track and Field in the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Here, Babers poses at an overlook above the Academy during a photo shoot after his Olympic performance. (Photo courtesy of Airman magazine, January 1985) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Every four years when the Olympic Games are held, graduates Alonzo Babers and Kathy (Callaghan) Rex reflect on their Olympic experience. Both represented the United States at the Olympics after they graduated from the...

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May 31, 2024

Cadets honored at ’24 graduation awards

Cadet 1st Class Brett Castro receives the Outstanding Group 2023-24 Award during the 2024 Graduation Awards Ceremony in Clune Arena May 28, 2024. Also pictured are U.S. Air Force Academy Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks, left; Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark; Mark Hille, president and chief operating officer of the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation and Association of Graduates; and Group 4 Air Officer Commanding Col. Brainin Klausman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – More than 85 senior U.S. Air Force Academy...

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July 30, 2024

Class of 2028 complete Second Basic Cadet Training

Class of 2028 basic cadets clear the last wall of the Assault Course during expeditionary skills training at Jacks Valley July 16, 2024. They marched back to the Cadet Wing July 26, 2024 alongside alumni. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Class of 2028 marched 5.2 miles back from Jacks Valley expeditionary skills training July 26 a month after they arrived on In-processing Day. Approximately 1,100 basic cadets will complete Basic Cadet Training next week, a giant step toward their goal of becoming...

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August 1, 2024

Class of ’18 grad returns to Academy as aeronautics instructor

Capt. Anna Mason, U.S. Air Force Academy aeronautics instructor, poses for a photo July 24, 2024 at Fairchild Hall, the Academy, Colorado. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Capt. Anna Mason, an aeronautical engineer and aeronautics instructor, sits in an office on the top floor of Fairchild Hall, deep in a maze of conference rooms and faculty offices. As with many engineers, she likes to have something to do with her hands – she is spinning a propeller blade with increasing speed as she...

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August 5, 2024

Bauernfeind assumes role as 22nd Academy superintendent

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s newest Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind salute one another following the ceremonial passing of the unit flag during an assumption of command ceremony held at the Academy, Colo., Aug. 2, 2024. Bauernfeind became the 22nd Academy superintendent following the retirement of Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark June 1, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, faculty and staff welcomed their 22nd superintendent, Lt. Gen....

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August 6, 2024

Through six decades, Wakin blazed trails at Academy

Retired Brig. Gen. Malham M. Wakin’s teaching career at the U.S. Air Force Academy spanned 57 years, beginning in 1959. The former Department of Philosophy head died July 30, 2024, at 93. (U.S. Air Force photo) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Colleagues and former cadets remember retired Brig. Gen. Malham M. Wakin as the service academy’s educational trailblazer. Long honored as an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, he taught philosophy and ethics, served as Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy, Chairman of the Humanities Division, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean,...

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August 7, 2024

Academy celebrates Acceptance Day 2024

Members of the Class of 2028 salute during the Acceptance Day 2024 ceremony Aug. 7, marking the end of Basic Cadet Training. Each cadet is expected to live up to the letter and spirit of the code. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – About 1,100 Class of 2028 cadets received their fourth-class shoulder boards, signifying their acceptance into the Cadet Wing in a ceremony at Stillman Field Aug. 7. The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Acceptance Day ceremony marks the end of Basic Cadet Training...

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August 8, 2024

Engineering cadets gain experience as they build homes for needy

Cadets received hands-on experience driving skid steers during the Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory at Jacks Valley June 3, 2024. Each summer, rising two-degrees practice their engineering skills in the three-week academic course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Almost 100 cadets majoring in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering deploy to a training site each summer. During the three-week Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory or FERL at Jacks Valley, rising two-degrees construct shelters, survey land, build roads, purify water, and operate heavy equipment simulating...

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