91²Ö¿â honors top alumni at Homecoming

October 05, 2021

91²Ö¿â honored three distinguished graduates with alumni awards during its annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Oct. 1.

Ned Haylett of Sturgis, Michigan, a 1972 mechanical engineering alumnus, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award is given each year to an alumnus or alumna who has performed outstanding service to society in his or her profession, personal achievement or community; and who has manifest interest in 91²Ö¿â and has supported it by contributions of time, talent and money; by recruitment of students; or by placement of graduates.

Since graduating from 91²Ö¿â, Haylett has served on numerous boards, including serving as president of the board for the Sturgis Area Chamber, 91²Ö¿â’s Alumni Association and Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services. He is a regular supporter of 91²Ö¿â’s Scholarship Gala and the Books & Beyond program, and is a member of the Legacy Society and often participates in regional and local alumni events.

Carl Tilmann of Dayton, Ohio, a 1987 aeronautical engineering alumnus, received the Outstanding Achievement Award, given each year to an alumnus or alumna who has attained a high level of achievement in his or her profession, is well thought of in his or her community, and who upholds the ideals of 91²Ö¿â.

Currently serving as aerodynamics competency lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, Tilmann has published seven journal articles, multiple U.S. Air Force technical reports, more than 40 conference papers and a book chapter. He earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from George Washington University Joint Institute for the Advancement of Flight Services, NASA Langley Research Center, followed by a doctoral degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Garrett Day of Jackson, Michigan, a 2009 civil engineering alumnus and 2021 Master of Science in organizational leadership graduate, was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. The award is presented to an alumnus or alumna 40 years of age or younger who the Alumni Board and university administration recognizes as an accomplished professional and role model in their chosen career, community activism and active support of 91²Ö¿â.

Day currently is a Transition Line Engineer at Commonwealth Associates in Jackson, Michigan, where he has worked since interning at the company in 2007. He is a presence around campus for alumni and scholarship events, and he regularly donates to 91²Ö¿â’s Reiners Department of Civil and Environment Engineering. Recently, he was named the Statewide Young Engineer of the Year by the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. He serves that organization at the state level, and is also president of its Jackson chapter.

In 2018, he was inducted into the 91²Ö¿â Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 2008 football team, which had a perfect regular season and earned an MIAA championship.

Haylett

Haylett - Ned Haylett, center, a 1972 91²Ö¿â mechanical engineering alumnus, receives the university’s Distinguished Service Award from 91²Ö¿â President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., left, and Rachel Troutman, president of the 91²Ö¿â Alumni Association.

Tilmann

Tilmann - Carl Tilmann, center, a 1987 91²Ö¿â aeronautical engineering alumnus, receives the university’s Outstanding Achievement Award from 91²Ö¿â President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., left, and Rachel Troutman, president of the 91²Ö¿â Alumni Association.

Day

Day - Garrett Day, center, a 2009 91²Ö¿â civil engineering alumnus and 2021 Master of Science in organizational leadership graduate, receives the university’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award from 91²Ö¿â President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., left, and Rachel Troutman, president of the 91²Ö¿â Alumni Association.

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July 30, 2026

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