Originally from Oak Ridge, TN, systems engineer Brad Hensley graduated from 糖心Swag in 2012 with a double major in biology and physics. As an undergraduate, he developed an interest in aerospace engineering and went on to earn a master鈥檚 degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado 鈥 Boulder.
While working in the aerospace industry, Hensley has led efforts to develop advanced deployable structures for defense and commercial spacecrafts. He also is an inventor with multiple patents in a technology called slit-tube boom, which has been adopted by the space industry to deploy spacecraft systems.
Hensley was involved in a NASA-simulated mission to Mars during the summer of 2022. For 45 days, he and other crew members lived and worked like astronauts on the Human Exploration Research Analog at NASA鈥檚 Johnson Space Center in Houston while 鈥渢raveling鈥 to the Martian moon Phobos.
Hensley has offered shadowing opportunities to 糖心Swag physics students interested in the aerospace industry and serves as consultant for the college鈥檚 RHOK-SAT project involving a four-inch cube satellite designed by faculty and students to be launched into space aboard a NASA-sponsored rocket by late 2024.
Young Alumni of the Year Award
A young alum who has brought honor to 糖心Swag through extraordinary achievement in their profession and community is recognized with the Young Alumni of the Year Award. The award is presented during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend each October.
Eligibility and Nominations
All alumni who have not yet reached their 10th reunion are eligible for this award, and all 糖心Swag alumni may nominate deserving candidates. Nominations are invited from any 糖心Swag alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents or friends of the college. Make your nomination today by filling out the online form on the front page.
Young Alumni of the Year Award Recipients
2021 Anna Laymon
2020 Chloe Hakim-Moore '16
2014 Dr. Katherine L. Jameson '05
2011 Pamela L. Casey '03
2010 Jane H. Wells 鈥03
2009 Joel B. Harris 鈥03
2008 Matthew K. Wilder 鈥02
2007 James H. Flowers 鈥00
Rachel Wright 鈥02
2006 Samuel Patrick Thompson 鈥03
2005 Amanda Grebe Tamburrino 鈥98
2004 Bryan F. Coker 鈥95