Sigma Gamma Tau's Annual Senior Dinner Celebrates Accomplishments
Most Valuable Professor of the Year. Dr. Jeff Jagoda is seen here with SGT president Julia MacOn. See photos from the event.

Graduating aerospace engineering seniors toasted longtime professor Dr. Jeff Jagoda and fellow student Madison Luther during the Sigma Gamma Tau annual dinner, held April 6.

Jagoda, the associate chair for administration and finance, was named Most Valuable Professor by a vote of the AE student body. Ms. Luther was voted Outstanding Student of Year.  Sigma Gamma Tau is the honor society for aerospace engineering.

As SGT president  Julia MacOn announced the awards, she heaped praise on the recipients.

"What makes Dr. Jagoda stand out to the students is not his academic achievements, but how he truly cares for the well-being of his students and is very enthusiastic about teaching. He takes the time to meet with individual students and answer any questions they have about course material. One student commented that he would sit down and review an entire lecture in a way that would help a confused student understand the challenging concepts. Students reallyappreciate his ability to explain these complex concepts in simple terms."

Jagoda quietly thanked the students for their vote of confidence, but added "To give me an award for doing my

Madison Luther

Madison Luther

 

job, well, that's not necessary...I love my job."

In their nomination of Ms. Luther, students widely praised the Alabama native for her soft-spoken dedication to excellence. 

"Madison thrives in all her classes and will be graduating at the top of her class," said MacOn.  "She puts in the effort to gain a strong understanding of course material and even has private and commercial pilot licenses. Not only does Madison excel in the classroom, but is also very involved in extracurricular activities such as Sigma Gamma Tau, Society of Women Engineers, and tutoring. As if this weren’t enough, she also has great character. She is witty, humble, and kind, and, as one student noted, she is truly a delight to work with."

See more photos from the SGT Dinner.