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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT

Maritza Stapanian

Maritza Stapanian

Honored in

Maritza (Crabtree) Stapanian graduated Valedictorian of the class of 1967.  Upon graduation, Maritza studied at the Space Physics Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she graduated with Honors.  She subsequently was admitted to the Planetary Science Program at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she earned a PhD.  The conclusions from her doctoral thesis helped to update the time horizon calculations for the creation and evolution of individual stars, our galaxy and solar systems.  

After earning her PhD, Maritza enlisted in the US Air Force where she had a distinguished career with assignments in programs highly critical to national security.  She received numerous Air Force honors including the Commendation Medal (twice) and the Meritorious Service Medal (three times).  

Martitza’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer led her to actively support scientific research of the disease.  She died in Cincinnati in October 2001.

2017

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