NE North Dakota News

On September 19, the University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences recognized three alumni for their contributions to aviation and aerospace by inducting them into the UND Aerospace Hall of Fame. The honorees are Alan Palmer (class of 1984), Steven Stock (class of 1987), and Arnold Vasenden (class of 1980). They join a group of 20 previous recipients since the Hall of Fame was established in 2018.

Alan Palmer began his association with UND after serving as a B-52 electronics warfare specialist in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He completed his degree at UND, later accumulating nearly 6,000 hours as an instructor pilot and playing a key role in establishing international training programs. Palmer held several leadership positions at UND, including chief flight instructor and director of Flight Operations.

Chuck Pineo, CEO of the UND Aerospace Foundation, said, “[Palmer] is one of the original John D. Odegard young guns, flying the jets and living the ‘Aviation Dream’. By the time I met Al, he was director of Flight Operations and was visibly excited to help us rebuild those international programs, but this time with Japan, Saudi Arabia and China.

“Al’s willingness and enthusiasm to chase new projects and customers was a big part of UND Aerospace’s success.”

Palmer retired from his position as director in 2010 but returned later that year to lead what became known as the UAS Center for Education, Research and Training. Under his direction, UND became the first university in the United States to offer a four-year degree in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. Paul Snyder, current director of UND’s UAS program said: “He always had a vision and worked tirelessly to carry it out. He was able to leverage what he already knew about safely and effectively operating in the national airspace system while at the same time keeping UND Aerospace focused on the future needs of the UAS industry, regarding education, research and training.”

Palmer also contributed locally by leading efforts such as developing Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Forks and serving on various community committees related to military affairs before retiring from UND again in 2017. His award was accepted posthumously by his family; Palmer died in November 2021.

Steven Stock grew up in Rugby, North Dakota with an interest in weather but initially found no meteorology program at UND when he started college in 1977. After enlisting in the Navy as an Aerographer’s Mate—where he specialized as an aviation weather briefer—Stock returned to complete his degree once meteorology became available at UND.

At UND he contributed significantly to research on Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR), which improved detection of hazardous wind conditions near airports—a technology now used at major airports across both mainland United States and Puerto Rico for flight safety enhancements.

Stock later worked for Northwest Airlines beginning in 1991 where he helped advance its weather department's reputation for innovation; these efforts continued after Northwest merged with Delta Air Lines.

Arnold “Arne” Vasenden grew up flying with his family near Fertile, Minnesota before attending UND where he completed advanced flight certifications early on. As a student worker with Weather Modification programs at school—and later working internationally—Vasenden built experience that included conducting marine mammal surveys across Alaska through corporate aviation roles.

His career included airline operations work flying multiple aircraft types; founding a company supporting emergency response missions using airborne sensors; collaborating with federal agencies like EPA via development work on environmental monitoring technologies; setting records such as highest glider tow; participating since 2018 with high-altitude research projects like Perlan Project; and contributing to hydrogen engine research alongside Germany’s DLR institute.

Robert Kraus, Dean of Aerospace said: “With over 23,000 flight hours across an extraordinary range of aircraft and missions Arne Vasenden may have the most diverse flying career we’ve ever seen… He exemplifies spirit aviation excellence innovation adventure.”