Outstanding Achievement Award

Dr. Duane De Freese – MS ‘82 PhD ’88 Biological Science – Dr. De Freese is a marine biologist  who, since 1998 has served as the Vice President of Florida Research for Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.

Dr. De Freese is responsible for all aspects of HSWRI operations in Florida including scientific research development, strategic planning, fund raising and construction of a new marine research center to be built in Brevard County.

Duane is well known throughout Florida because of his active role in marine science research, education and conservation. He served as first program director for Brevard County’s $55M Environmentally Endangered Lands Program from 1990-1998. During that period of time, he worked with the volunteer Land Selection Committee to secure over $25M in matching funds for the program. He also served as the senior author for the technical portion of the successful nomination package forwarded by Governor Bob Martinez in 1989 to include the Indian River Lagoon in the EPA’s National Estuary Program.

Dr. De Freese has authored numerous papers, received awards for his teaching and conservation work and maintains an active public speaking schedule.  He continues to pursue his passion for education by serving as an adjunct professor teaching oceanography at Brevard Community College.

Dr. Wassim Haddad – BS ’83 MS ’84 PhD ’87 Mechanical Engineering – Dr. Haddad was an assistant and associate professor in Aerospace Engineering at Florida Tech from 1988-1994, an associate professor in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech from 1994-1998, and a professor of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech from 1998 to the present.

Dr. Haddad has been a pioneer in the development of cutting-edge control design methods for the past several years. His work in the development of optimal control methods for large flexible structures has bridged the gap between theory and practical applications. His work in the areas of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics has been instrumental for new developments in delivery of drugs for anesthesia.

Dr. Haddad has published more than 243 conference papers and technical reports, 204 journal papers and book chapters and 4 monographs and textbooks.

Sanjiv S. Pillai - MS ’90 Civil Engineering – After graduating from Florida Tech, Sanjiv joined the IT Corporation, a 3,000 person environmental engineering and consulting firm. He worked at IT Corporation for 7 years and rose to the level of Project Manager. In 1997, Mr. Pillai started a successful independent environmental consulting and engineering practice as a one person firm. His clients were primarily in the real estate and insurance sectors. In August 1999, Sanjiv formed the SI Group with Klaus Voss to provide consulting services on a nationwide basis. The SI Group grew at a rapid pace with work in the real estate, insurance, telecom, industrial, mining and government sectors. In January 2001, the wastewater and drinking water services work that the firm performed was spun off into a separate entity known as the SI Utility Group. Collectively, the SI Group and the SI Utility Group were known as the SI Companies. The SI Companies grew from a 2 person firm with 1999 to an 85 person firm in 2006 before it was acquired by Apex Companies, LLC. At the time of acquisition, the company revenues had grown to approximately $17M and the SI Companies had offices in 8 cities. At this time, Mr. Pillai is active in the start up of his new company – Optimal Energy, LLC.

June Viviano – BS ’75 Air Commerce – Captain Viviano, who flies for FedEX, has been in the world of aviation for 34 years. In the mid-1970s, she was one of a very few women pilots and didn’t have a support network or someone to talk to about issues affecting women in the workplace.

Viviano began an informal mentoring program at FedEx eight years ago. The program is now becoming a formal, structured part of the FedEx network.

Through the women’s mentoring network, experienced FedEx pilots contact women aviators who are interested in joining the company. The mentors tell the women what they can expect as a FedEx pilot, but they share their own stories on how they cope with balancing family and work, answering questions about maternity leave, family priorities and other questions they may not feel comfortable addressing during a formal job interview. Should women secure a position with FedEx, the mentoring relationships are made stronger as new pilots and their mentors continue to meet, especially through the first year.

Thanks to June, women in the FedEx workplace, can rest assured that they know how everything works.

Outstanding Advocate Award

Dr. Hamid Rassoul - Dr. Rassoul is the Associate Dean of the College of Science and Professor of Physics and Space Science. He is also the founding Director of the Geospace Physics Laboratory. Dr. Rassoul is known to go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to dealing with the needs of prospective students, current students, faculty and alumni. He makes himself available to all. It could be advising students or helping them to understand class concepts more clearly or to just support them when it’s needed. He is also the advisor for all Saudi students here on campus and is coordinator for graduate applications. Some students refer to him as “Uncle Hamid.” He is also involved with many projects for the College of Science. He managed Laser Day 2007 that brought 350 high school students to campus and the College of Science Annual Student Showcase. He is also in charge of the new Science Café program that is co-sponsored by Florida Tech and the Brevard Zoo.

Outstanding Humanitarian Award

Dr. Amanda Goodson - MS ’92 Management – Amanda is a Senior Manager, Mission Assurance for Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona where she is responsible for ensuring success on a Missile Defense Agency Exo-Atmospheric program. Ms. Goodson serves as technical authority that plans, coordinates, directs and serves as single interface for programmatic mission assurance activities.

Previously, Ms. Goodson was Director, Safety and Mission Assurance Office, at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In this position, she directed the safety, reliability, maintainability, and quality activities on all MSFC programs with responsibilities encompassing a broad range of activities in support of the Nation's space program. She served in this position from March 1997 to August 2003. Prior to that appointment, she was named Deputy Director, Safety and Mission Assurance Office. She was responsible for participating with the Director in planning, coordinating, and directing the Safety, Reliability, and Quality Assurance functions at MSFC.

Ms. Goodson holds certificates from NASA Senior Executive Service Career Development Program, Executive Development Program, and Penn State University Program for Strategic Leadership.

Goodson received a doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary and founded Never the Same Ministries. She speaks tirelessly in support of women’s issues.

She serves on boards and panels, and participates in readiness reviews, count down and flight of America's Space Shuttle. Dr. Goodson has been featured in Black Engineer of the Year Magazine and The Cause Magazine. 

The Florida Tech Alumni Association recognizes alumni who have provided outstanding service to the Association, alumni chapters, or the university with its annual Distinguished Service Awards. 

Alumni who have made outstanding professional achievements in their chosen fields of endeavor receive Distinguished Achievement Awards.

In addition, the Student Ambassadors present awards to the outstanding faculty member and outstanding student. These awards are presented each Year at our homecoming banquet.

If you want to nominate an alumna/us for one of these awards, please submit your nomination to the Office of Alumni Affairs. The deadline for receipt of nominations is August 15. The nomination should include the name, class, major, address and phone number of the nominee. In addition, include a statement about why you feel this person should receive the award. If possible, you should send a resume and/or other relevant background information (e.g. newspaper clippings, testimonials, etc.) as well.