UMass Amherst Alumni Association

Awards & Grants

Distinguished Honorary Alumni Award Recipient

Joseph G. Gavin, Jr.

Joseph G. Gavin, Jr. earned his bachelor's degree in 1941 and master’s degree in 1942 in aerospace from MIT. He served as an officer in the Naval Reserve, working with the Bureau of Aeronautics until 1946.

After returning to civilian life, he joined the Grumman Aerospace Corporation as a design engineer and later became the vice president and director of the Lunar Module Program (Apollo) from 1962 – 1972, and chief operating officer and director until 1985.

Gavin is a recipient of the NASA Distinguished Public Medal, member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.