Kellen David Sick, BSAE '06

AME's Kellen Sick received this year's Archimedes Circle Award For Outstanding Scholarship and was named the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's valedictorian at the school's Student Recognition Ceremony on Monday, May 1.

Sick came to USC from Kempsville High School in Virgina Beach, Virgina, where his extra-curicular activities included swimming. He continued swimming as a freshman at USC until, as a sophmore he decided to join ROTC. Conflicts between swimming and ROTC activities forced him to decide between the two. With limited career prospects in swimming, he dropped it in favor of ROTC.

Comming into the ROTC program a year late, Sick had to take both the freshman and sophomore classes during his first year. Continuing this hard work he assumed more responsibilities until, last Fall, he served as the wing executive officer. Kellen credits his family--both his father and brother are military pilots--as the source of his attitude toward accepting responsiblity.

Swimming and ROTC have not been Sick's only activities at USC. He was also involved in the AME Aerodesign Team which every year designs and builds a model airplane, then flies it in competition against teams from other schools. While the department's Aerospace Engineering academic program has been excellent, Sick feels his learning and experience in these programs outside the classroom has been equally important.

After graduation with a BSAE, Sick will begin his career on active duty in the Air Force and will attend flight school at Vance AFB, Oklahoma.

—DP