Patankar named Raisbeck Engineering Professor of Aviation Technology

Raisbeck Engineering

Manoj Patankar, head of Purdue Polytechnic’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, has been named by the Purdue University Board of Trustees as the Raisbeck Engineering Professor of Aviation Technology.

Manoj Patankar​Through the Raisbeck Foundation, James Raisbeck (BSAAE ’61, HDR ’05) and his wife, Sherry, established an endowment in 1999 to support the Raisbeck Engineering Distinguished Professorship for Engineering and Technology Integration. The goal was to support interaction between the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Department of Aviation Technology, now known as the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, and the University’s design/build/test environment. The original endowment agreement was amended to support a named professorship in both schools.

“I am deeply grateful for Dr. Raisbeck’s generous support of this endowment,” said Patankar. “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics as well as the Raisbeck Scholars from Seattle’s Raisbeck Aviation High School. This professorship will allow Purdue to further strengthen its leadership role in aviation education.”

In 2015, the Raisbeck Foundation provided funding for a course which focused on a joint project between the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Department of Aviation Technology.

“James is a loyal Purdue alum,” said Shari Schrader, director of advancement for Purdue Polytechnic. “He understands the importance of the two schools working together, and he strives to promote that.”

Raisbeck Engineering, an AGC Aerospace and Defense company, is known for designs to improve aircraft performance and efficiencies. Raisbeck’s company and career focused on engineering in the aviation industry.

Additional information:

People in this Article: