Aerospace professor emeritus named AIAA 2025 Konrad Dannenberg Educator of the Year
Published: Jun 26, 2025 10:00 AM
By Dustin Duncan
Auburn University’s John E. Cochran Jr., professor and department head emeritus of aerospace engineering, has been named the 2025 Konrad Dannenberg Educator of the Year by the Greater Huntsville Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Cochran received the award at the section’s 71st annual banquet on May 16 at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. The honor recognizes his decades of service to aerospace engineering education and his lasting impact on students and the profession.
Cochran called the award a “three-part honor,” first crediting his nomination by colleague Roy Hartfield, Walt and Virginia Woltosz Professor in aerospace engineering.
“It is an even greater honor to be selected from a group of highly qualified nominees,” Cochran said.
He also noted the legacy of the award’s namesake.
“Konrad Dannenberg helped design and launch the Saturn V that put the first man on the moon,” Cochran said. “After Apollo, he became a passionate educator and advocate for the peaceful use of space. To receive an educator award named for him is especially meaningful.”
Cochran began his Auburn career in 1967 and served as aerospace engineering department head from 1993 until retiring in 2013. He was instrumental in preserving the department’s independence during a proposed merger in 1998. Under his leadership, the program grew in enrollment and national reputation, established an industry advisory council and upgraded laboratory facilities. He also played a role in preserving the university’s aviation program.
His research, especially during the 1980s “Star Wars” defense era, focused on spacecraft attitude dynamics, missile simulations and guidance systems. He received funding from NASA, the U.S. Army and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and published more than 150 technical papers.
Cochran continues to teach graduate-level courses through Auburn’s Engineering Online program.
“Education is more than lectures and textbooks,” he said. “It includes the life experiences that shape students and colleagues over time. Being part of that is a privilege.”
He holds aerospace engineering degrees from Auburn and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, along with a law degree from the Jones School of Law. He is a licensed attorney and professional engineer.
Cochran is a Fellow of both AIAA and the American Astronautical Society and a former associate editor of the Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics. His honors include Auburn’s Outstanding Aerospace Engineering Alumnus Award, the Walter Gilbert Award and the AIAA Hermann Oberth Award. In 2024, he was inducted into the prestigious Academy of Distinguished Alumni of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics of The University of Texas at Austin.
Beyond his academic accomplishments, Cochran played football for Auburn as a linebacker from 1962-65. In 1965, he was selected to the Academic All-SEC team, received an NCAA graduate fellowship and was named a National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete.
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John E. Cochran Jr., professor and department head emeritus of aerospace engineering, was named Konrad Dannenberg Educator of the Year at the 71st Greater Huntsville Section Annual Awards Ceremony. Pictured from left are Joe Majdalani, honors and awards director, Cochran, Jackie Dannenberg and Bob Tramel, section chair.
