John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

News and information from the UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

UND Aerospace Dean Bruce Smith announces 2016 retirement

February 25, 2015

Dr. Robert Kelley
President
University of North Dakota

After what will be 16 ½ years as the Dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, I have decided to retire effective June 30, 2016. I know this is somewhat early to make this announcement, but it is made in consideration of the Odegard School and the University to provide ample time to search for a new Dean and to allow for a seamless transition. Should the search go beyond that date I am certainly willing to serve until a new Dean is in position.
Serving as the Dean of the Odegard School and the President/CEO of the Aerospace Foundation has been an honor. Having the opportunity to give back to the University that provided a scholarship allowing me to attend college and play football was gratifying and rewarding.
I want to personally thank you for your support and your earlier encouragement to extend my career. The past four years have seen some incredible events including writing a book about the Odegard School, a spectacular new aerospace building, and the remarkable growth of the Aerospace Foundation’s business at Grand Forks and Mesa, Arizona. The future looks bright.
Sincerely,

Bruce A. Smith

From the University Newsletter 02/25/15:

UND Provost Thomas DiLorenzo expressed appreciation for Smith’s accomplishments.

“In the over 16 years that Dean Smith has been here at UND, he has taken the great legacy of the Odegard School to the next level and has built a world-class facility for aerospace research, education and training,” DiLorenzo said. “We are very proud of all the Odegard School has accomplished under Dean Smith’s leadership.”

Bruce A. Smith was named dean of the University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and began his duties in January of 2000. As dean, he is responsible for providing academic and entrepreneurial leadership, as well as for administration of the Odegard School, which is made up of five interrelated and accredited departments: aviation, atmospheric sciences, computer science, earth systems science, and Space Studies. During the past 15 years, the Odegard School has become a leader in aerospace education, training and research. The aviation program is now the largest in the United States, with 120 aircraft flying more than 116,000 hours annually. Smith is also the president/CEO of the UND Aerospace Foundation, which has become an international enterprise growing from $2.2 million in assets in the year 2000 to $60 million in assets today with annual revenues approaching $40 million.

Smith was previously the director of training for Delta Airlines. Prior to joining Delta, Smith served in senior management positions at Hughes/Raytheon Training, Inc. During his time with Hughes he worked with Northrop on the B-2 Program. Smith joined Hughes after several years with CAE/Link Flight Simulation Division, where he was the director of training. Prior to his assignment at CAE/Link, he held key positions in smaller training research and development companies. Smith began his aerospace career as an instructor pilot for the U.S. Air Force. He served as a research pilot for the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory and was a member of the faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Smith’s biographies are listed in Who’s Who and The Outstanding Young Men of America. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education from UND, where he was named by the Associated Press as an NCAA All-American in football and twice named to the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame. He also holds a master’s degree in secondary education from Arizona State University, and a Ph.D. in instructional design and development from Florida State University, where he was awarded a teaching fellowship and elected by the graduate faculty to the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honorary. He was awarded North Dakota’s State Meritorious Service Medal In 2006.

Smith also recently published a book, titled Nowhere but North Dakota.