A member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and Gator alumus Colonel Joe Kittinger will speak at UF today in the Reitz Union Auditorium at 4 p.m. about his contributions to the Red Bull Stratos program.
In recognition of National Engineering Week, UF’s College of Engineering and its student chapters of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and U.S. Air Force ROTC have invited Kittinger to share tales of his record-breaking achievements in aviation as well as highlights of his recent involvement with the Red Bull Stratos as capsule communicator.
A UF engineering student in the late 1940s, Kittinger made history as he ascended into the stratosphere in a high-altitude balloon on August 16, 1960. During the last four years, he worked on the Red Bull Stratos program, where he aided in breaking his own record.
“Never in my wildest imagination did I think, as a young, 17-year-old lad, that I’d be asked back to speak to a bunch of engineering students and Gators,” Kittinger said. “I’m just really honored to come back to UF. You know, once a Gator always a Gator.”
David Hahn, professor and chairman of UF’s Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, said the students and faculty are just as honored to have him.
Hahn, who helped put on the event, said National Engineering Week is a way to promote what engineers do and generate excitement about the profession. He believes students will gain a lot from Kittinger’s presentation.
“He really serves as a great role model for our students,” Hahn said. “I think they’re going to see the possibilities in an engineering career.”
Although Hahn and the students already see the magnitude of bringing in someone “of his stature,” Kittinger is hoping to speak about the importance of teamwork and encourage the pursuit of innovation.
“I hope to inspire some of the students to aspire to make engineering advancements for our society and our country,” Kittinger said.
