Awards

The Greater Huntsville Section honors its members achievements annually with the following awards.

The Hermann Oberth Award

This award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding individual scientific achievement in the field of astronautics or for the promotion and advancement of the aeronautical sciences.

2024 Recipient - William (Bill) H. Knuth


The Holger Toftoy Award

This award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding technical management in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics.

2024 Recipient - Kurt Polzin


The Konrad Dannenberg Educator of the Year Award

This award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding service to education and promotion of math and science within the community. The award is named in recognition of Konrad Dannenberg, a German-American rocket pioneer who was an avid proponent of education, an active member of the AIAA and an inspiration to the aerospace community.

2024 Recipient - Roy Hartfield Jr.


The Martin Schilling Award

This award is presented to a Section member in recognition of outstanding service to the Section, such as major contributions to its growth, technical programs, or administrative functions. The award is named for the Section's founding president, Dr. Martin Schilling.

2024 Recipient - Robert Tramel


The Earl Pearce Professional of the Year Award

This award is presented to a Section member in recognition of extraordinary dedication, creativity, and leadership while engaged in professional work or activity within the aerospace community. The award is named in recognition of Earl Pearce who was on the Section's Board of Directors and served as Supernumerary for many years.

2024 Recipient - Leandro Barajas


The Ed Pruett Young Professional of the Year Award

This award is presented to a Section member of 35 years of age or younger who has demonstrated extraordinary technical skill and dedication in the practice of the Aerospace Engineering profession. The award is named in recognition of Ed Pruett who was on the Section Board of Directors and served the Section for many years.

2024 Recipient - Noel Cervantes


The Student of the Year Award (undergraduate)

This award is presented to a Section undergraduate student member in recognition of notable technical accomplishments, active engineering research, outstanding service to AIAA student section, or active STEM outreach in the local community.

2024 Recipient - Emma Signor


The Student of the Year Award (graduate)

This award is presented to a Section graduate student member in recognition of notable technical accomplishments, active engineering research, outstanding service to AIAA student section, or active STEM outreach in the local community.

2024 Recipient - Daniel Little

The Hermann Oberth Award

Click to see a video about the casting of the award
Professor Hermann Oberth is one of the three founders of modern rocketry and space travel, together with Konstantin Tsiolokovsky and Dr. Robert Goddard. Oberth’s book “The Rocket Into Planetary Space” describing issues of rocketry and human spaceflight was published in 1923. Oberth worked with Wernher von Braun at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency during 1955-1958, and was a member of our section.