Notable Alumni of Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, a private college in East Elmhurst, New York, specializes in aviation and engineering education. Adjacent to LaGuardia Airport, it was founded in Newark, New Jersey, in 1932 before moving to its current location in 1940. Originally known as the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, it was established by Charles S. "Casey" Jones, George A. Vaughn Jr., and Lee D. Warrender. The college has a rich history of producing notable alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields.
Vaughn College: A Legacy of Excellence
Vaughn College is laser-focused on preparing students for a successful future. This is accomplished by providing a student experience that is enriched with opportunities for career growth and development from day one.
Vaughn College has an enrollment of approximately 1200 students as of 2023. It provides associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees in engineering, technology, aviation, and management. The Aviation Training Institute at Vaughn offers the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant maintenance certificate. Vaughn is the only college in New York to offer the engineering program Mechatronics. The institution is also designated by the FAA as a Collegiate Training Institute and offers a non-degree air traffic control program for those wishing to pursue a career in this field.
The associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Avionics, the associate in applied science (AAS) degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology, and the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, as well as the Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology has also received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Prior to obtaining a four-year degree at Vaughn College in some degree programs, one has to complete an internship performing the role for which the student has studied. Many students land their first post-graduate job in this manner. Vaughn has close ties to many airports and airlines due in part to its close proximity to the local airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Read also: Vaughn College Costs
Vaughn was recognized as having the highest upward mobility rate among 2,137 colleges in a January 18, 2017 article published in The New York Times. Vaughn College was noted as "an institution doing more to impact social mobility for those who start from less fortunate means" and listed as the top institution for moving students from the bottom 40 percent to the top 40 percent in income. News & World Report college rankings. Vaughn was also ranked the most racially diverse and the most economically diverse in the North.
Vaughn’s employer partners not only provide valuable internship and employment opportunities, but they also participate in industry speaking events, host tours and develop pathway programs where students can learn, grow and prepare for the workforce.
Vaughn students receive the financial, academic and career support they need to be successful throughout their college journey and beyond. We make sure students get the financial support they need to complete their education - whether it comes from grants, scholarships, loans or work-study programs.
Notable Alumni
Aviation and Military Leaders
Jimmy Doolittle
Jimmy Doolittle was an American military general and aviation pioneer who received the Medal of Honor for his raid on Japan during World War II, known as the Doolittle Raid in his honor. He made early coast-to-coast flights and record-breaking speed flights, won many flying races, and helped develop and flight-test instrument flying.
George Kenney
George Churchill Kenney was a United States Army general during World War II. He is best known as the commander of the Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA), a position he held between August 1942 and 1945. Air Force officer, athlete, and teacher. He was the winner of the 400 meter run at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He studied at the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management in 1921.
Read also: Explore Vaughn College Programs
Bernard Adolph Schriever
Bernard Adolph "Bennie" Schriever was a United States Air Force general who played a major role in the Air Force's space and ballistic missile programs.
Robert T. Herres
Robert Tralles Herres was a United States Air Force general who served as the first vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mark Edward Bradley Jr.
Mark Edward Bradley Jr. was a United States Air Force general and a pioneering aviator. He studied at the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management in 1938. He served in Air Force Logistics Command.
Lawrence A. Skantze
Lawrence Albert Skantze was a four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He served as commander, Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with Master of Science in nuclear engineering.
Aloysius G. Casey
Aloysius Gerald Casey was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who served as commander of the Space Division, Air Force Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. He was responsible for managing the research, design, development and acquisition of space launch, command and control, and satellite systems. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with Master of Science in astronautics.
Read also: The Rise of Deuce Vaughn
Hans Helmuth Driessnack
Hans Helmuth Driessnack was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force, in which he served as a fighter pilot and later, Comptroller of the Air Force.
William Earl Thurman
Lieutenant General William Earl Thurman was a United States Air Force Lieutenant General who was commander, Aeronautical Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
James Wesley Stansberry
James Wesley Stansberry was a United States Air Force lieutenant general and commander of the Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.
Roger G. DeKok
Roger G. DeKok was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force.
Ted Francis Bowlds
Lieutenant General Ted Francis Bowlds is a former Commander, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The center's mission is to acquire command and control systems for the Air Force. The organization comprises more than 12,000 people located at six sites throughout the United States. The men and women of the ESC manage more than $3 billion in programs annually in support of the Air Force, and joint and coalition forces.
William J. Donahue
William J. "Bill" Donahue is a retired lieutenant general for the United States Air Force who transformed networks and communications during his long career. He retired as the director of communications and information at Air Force Headquarters and commander of the Air Force Communications and Information Center in Washington, D.C. During his long Air Force career, Donahue served in a variety of communications, information, command and control positions at virtually every level in the Air Force. During his active-duty career, Donahue led the Internet and information technology transformation in the Air Force.
Rosanne Bailey
Rosanne "Ro" Bailey was an American military officer and academic administrator. A retired United States Air Force brigadier general, she was named vice chancellor for administrative services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She oversaw administrative offices such as budget, business operations, purchasing, personnel, risk management, environmental health and safety, the fire and police departments, and facilities services.
Cary C. Chun
Brigadier General Cary C. Chun is a retired senior officer of the United States Air Force. He served as the Deputy Commander, Operations and Interagency Integration, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and the Director for Mission Operations, National Reconnaissance Office. In this role, he led all Department of Defense space forces aligned with USSTRATCOM and provided tailored, responsive, local and global effects in support of national, USSTRATCOM and combatant commander objectives. As Director for Mission Operations, he led operations for all NRO overhead reconnaissance systems, ground stations, operational communications, and the operations center used to conduct intelligence activities essential for the national security of the United States and its allies.
Charles R. Holland
Charles R. Holland is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Armed Forces. Air Force to serve as commander of USSOCOM, and the only SOCOM commander without the experience as a special operator.
Robert H. McMahon
Robert H. McMahon is a retired United States Air Force major general who later served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment. Prior to assuming his most recent role, McMahon served as president of Fickling Management Services and as a board member of State Bank and Trust, the Mercer National Engineering Advisory Board, and the Robins Air Force Base Museum of Aviation Foundation. He previously served as the director of C-17 Field Operations for the Boeing Company and as president and CEO of the 21st Century Partnership. While on active duty in the Air Force, McMahon's assignments included Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center; Director of Logistics, Headquarters United States Air Force; Director of Logistics, Air Mobility Command; and Commander, 309th Maintenance Wing, Ogden Air Logistics Center.
Donna L. Cottrell
Donna L. Cottrell is a retired United States Coast Guard rear admiral who last served as the Coast Guard District 9 Commander. In this role, she served as the senior Commander for the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway, an area that covers eight states. The Area of Operations for the command accumulates over 6,700 miles of shoreline and 1,500 miles of international shoreline with Canada. In addition, she previously oversaw the service level command, Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron out of Jacksonville, FL.
Benjamin Franklin Register Jr.
Benjamin Franklin Register Jr. was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. His assignments included Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. Register was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1951, and served until his retirement in 1987. He earned a B.S. degree in industrial management from Georgia Tech and later earned an M.S. degree in military logistics management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
George T. Babbitt, Jr
General George T. Babbitt is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), from 1997 to 2000.
Daniel Richard Schroeder
Daniel Richard Schroeder is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with Master of Science in systems management.
Leon Edward Salomon
General Leon Edward Salomon was a United States Army general who served as Chief of Ordnance of the United States Army from 1986 to 1988. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with Master of Science in transport management.
Astronauts and Test Pilots
Guion Bluford
Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. is an American aerospace engineer, retired United States Air Force (USAF) officer and fighter pilot, and former NASA astronaut, in which capacity he became the first African American to go to space. While assigned to NASA, he remained a USAF officer rising to the rank of colonel. He participated in four Space Shuttle flights between 1983 and 1992. In 1983, as a member of the crew of the Orbiter Challenger on the mission STS-8, he became the first African American in space as well as the second black person in space, after Cuban cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with Master of Science in aerospace engineering in 1974 and Doctor of Philosophy in aerospace engineering in 1978.
Milburn G. Apt
Milburn G. Apt was an American research pilot with the United States Air Force. Air Force test pilot, and the first man to attain speeds faster than Mach 3. He was killed after separating from the Bell X-2 in his escape capsule during the record-setting flight that exceeded Mach 3. Shortly afterwards, Secretary of the Air Force Donald A. Quarles commended Apt, saying he was "flying faster than any human being has been known to fly."
John Arthur Macready
John Arthur Macready was an American test pilot and aviator. He is the only three-time recipient of the Mackay Trophy, and they were awarded in three consecutive years: once for altitude flight, once for transcontinental flight, and once for an endurance flight of 36 hours, 4 minutes and 32 seconds.
Business and Technology Leaders
Ray O. Johnson
Ray O. Johnson is an American business executive. Johnson is currently serving as Senior Advisor to the President of Khalifa University, providing expert counsel on complex strategic and operational matters. Johnson also serves as an operating partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, an American venture capital firm with over $20 billion under management and the oldest venture capital firm in the United States. He recently served as the chief executive officer of the Technology Innovation Institute and of ASPIRE, both based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Before that, he served as the Lockheed Martin Corporation's chief technology officer and corporate senior vice president for engineering, technology, and operations.
Government and Public Service
Michael Wynne
Michael Walter Wynne is an American politician and business executive and was the 21st United States Secretary of the Air Force. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates asked for and received his resignation (and that of Chief of Staff T. Michael Moseley) on June 5, 2008, in the wake of the 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident and the mistaken shipment of Minuteman III parts to Taiwan in 2006, followed by an investigation by and a critical report from Admiral Kirkland H. Donald regarding the Minuteman incident.
James F. Geurts
James F. Geurts is an American former government official and retired United States Air Force colonel who served in 2021 as the official performing the duties of United States Under Secretary of the Navy.
Other Notable Alumni
Jerry E. White
Jerry E. White is a retired United States Air Force major general, author and former leader of the Christian parachurch organization, the Navigators.
Robert Alan "Rosie" Rosenberg
Major General Robert Alan "Rosie" Rosenberg of United States Air Force was Director of Defense Mapping Agency from July 1985 to September 1987. satellite program. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2005. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with master's degree in aerospace engineering.
Forrest Striplin McCartney
Forrest Striplin McCartney was a United States Air Force lieutenant general and former director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management with Master of Science in nuclear engineering.
Joseph K. Spiers
Joseph K. Spiers is an aerospace engineer and retired United States Air Force general, reaching the rank of major general during his military career.
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