AFIT Dean honored as Distinguished Graduate from alma mater Published Nov. 9, 2010 WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The University of Michigan's College of Engineering honored Dr. Marlin U. Thomas, Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology, with its 2010 Alumni Society Award. Sixteen distinguished graduates of the University of Michigan received their award at the 19th annual Engineering Alumni Society Awards Banquet held on Oct. 15. "These individuals should be an inspiration to us all. They are industry leaders, pioneering entrepreneurs, stalwart public servants, distinguished researchers and instructors. All are models of the Michigan Engineer," stated David Munson, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. The Alumni Society Merit Awards were established to honor alumni who personify the College's tradition of excellence and who have achieved significant accomplishments in their professional lives. The awards are given each year to graduates from each academic department. Recipients are selected by departmental committees, whose members are chosen and headed by their department chairs. Dr. Thomas was selected as this year's Industrial and Operations Engineering department honoree. Dr. Thomas received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science ('68), and Ph.D. ('71), all in industrial engineering, from the University of Michigan. In his current role as Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Thomas is charged with providing advanced education in areas of engineering, science and management, critical to maintaining the Air Force's technical superiority.