Spring 2010

Dr. Wanda Austin, president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, delivered the commencement address to the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering on May 21, 2010. Dr. Austin is an internationally recognized expert in satellite and payload acquisition, systems engineering, and system simulation. She holds a B.A. in mathematics from Franklin and Marshall College, acquired an M.S. in environmental systems engineering and an M.S. in mathematics, from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Austin opened her speech with a warm congratulations to the 2010 graduating class on their accomplishment of culminating from a leading engineering institution, and also praised the family and friends of each of the graduates for their support of the students. She continued on to thank the faculty as well as the teachers being honored, on their training and leadership of the students.

Dr. Austin then gave a list of the top ten most important tips that she believed would help the graduates on the next phase of their lives. First on the list was her advisement to take a path that would lead them to getting a job. She advised them to listen and to take in the knowledge others give them for there is still much to learn outside of the outside world. The line between work and life can be a thin one, which prompted Dr. Austin to suggest that the students maintain a healthy balance between the two. She emphasized the need for the voice of society’s young people to be heard by voting, as well as the need to choose future battles wisely to avoid conflicts that could possibly impede their growth. Also, the students were told that no matter what they do, they should always make sure they are passionate about it because it is that same fervor that will drive them to excel when the road gets tough. Dr. Austin pointed out that gratitude toward the family and friends that made sacrifices for the graduates to pursue their dreams is also necessary. She cautioned the graduates that their actions can have effects on a global scale so to think and make choices wisely and suggested that the act of giving back more than one receives is a life lesson that the graduates should implement wherever they go. Last on the list to make a persuasive point, Dr. Austin reiterated to them that they must, must get a job.

Dr. Austin moved on to discuss the challenges and opportunities of space explorations as they both correlate with life. In 1960, when The Aerospace Corporation, a nonprofit federally funded research and development center, was founded, President John F. Kennedy had promised to take America to new frontiers, one of which was space. Americans began to build rockets and satellites to make America preeminent in space. Now, a half a century later, The Aerospace Corporation boasts over 4,000 employees who collectively provide technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers to assure space mission success for the United States.

Dr. Austin then acknowledged the tragic events of the world in the past year, such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the financial meltdowns, as some of the defining moments of the graduates’ lifetime. However, she proceeded to explain that not the events but the students’ response to them would define their lives, and while those events might bring on pessimism and cynicism, they actually called for more positive action.

Dr. Austin continued on to explain that preparing a satellite for launch is very similar to the students starting their career. Both actions require accountability, hard work, dedication, and integrity. Also, a commitment to “Getting It Right,” is necessary, which means having the determination to work hard and smart, and in due time with discipline and proven techniques, achieve desired results. The study of space can potentially protect Earth and Dr. Austin gave the examples of space-based solar power, developments in detecting tornados and hurricanes, and developments in telemedicine and bioengineering. She stated confidently that she believed that Clark Class of 2010 would get it right and continue to learn and value diversity so than an educated society would be able to pursue developments in space technology that was in their hands.

In closing, Dr. Austin told the students she hoped that whatever missions life takes them on, that they will help the students that follow them to aid in the repairing of some of society’s tribulations. She explained that there is a dire need for solid, smart, sensitive, and dedicated people to advance the interests of society and that she believed that the Clark School of Engineering Class of 2010 would be successful in making that difference. Dr. Austin then commended and applauded the graduates and thanked them for giving her the honor of being their keynote speaker for the 2010 commencement.

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