12 cadets join dean's aces list

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12 cadets join dean's aces list

Posted 9/27/2012 Updated 9/27/2012

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9/27/2012 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Twelve cadets were recognized at the Dean's Heritage House on Sept. 20 for achieving perfect 4.0 academic GPAs during the Spring 2012 semester.

The Spring 2012 Aces List includes three freshmen, three sophomores, six juniors and seven seniors who have since graduated.

Cadet 2nd Class Blake Abrecht was a triple ace, having earned ace honors during three of his four semesters at the Academy. Three of the seniors were double aces. Among the seven graduates who earned a 4.0 GPA during their final semester here, four went directly into graduate school.

The dean's aces dinner recognizes cadets who have "truly distinguished themselves academically," said Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana Born. Only 19 cadets out of the 4,292-member Cadet Wing earned a 4.0 GPA in the spring semester.

Cadet 1st Class Brian Ford credited his track and field coach.

"The 4.0 wouldn't have been possible without my coach's support," Ford said. "I had to sacrifice more practice time than I care to admit to achieve academically."

Cadet 1st Class Riley Feeney, a first-time ace, said that becoming an academic ace was "less about putting in hours as it was making sure the time I spent studying was focused and efficient without distractions."

Many attendees expressed how impressed they were with the event. Cadet 1st Class David Bosner said, "I never realized how big of a deal this was until tonight. I feel so honored."

Cadet 1st Class Edward Artz shared a similar sentiment.

"This was a lovely evening and I really enjoyed getting to talk with leaders from the superintendent's office, the athletic director, the commandant and the dean," Artz said. "It was very pleasant."

Among those recognizing the newest Aces were Mobilization Assistant to the Superintendent Brig. Gen. Kathy Chilton, Born, Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Greg Lengyel, Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Adis Vila.

Now in its seventh year, the tradition of the Dean's Aces Dinner began in April 2005, shortly after Born took the reigns as the dean of the faculty.

SPRING 2012 ACES LIST

2nd Lt. Michael Ceci
2nd Lt. Casey Habluetzel*
2nd Lt. Colleen Haggerty
2nd Lt. Casey Horgan IV*
2nd Lt. Eric Poland*
2nd Lt. Jordyn Stoddard
2nd Lt. Paul Weisgarber
Cadet 1st Class Edward Artz
Cadet 1st Class David Bosner
Cadet 1st Class Riley Feeney
Cadet 1st Class Brian Ford
Cadet 1st Class Tyler Glaze
Cadet 1st Class Kevin Ueunten*
Cadet 2nd Class Blake Abrecht**
Cadet 2nd Class Glen Hanson
Cadet 2nd Class Joshua Hunt
Cadet 3rd Class Rebecca Esselstein
Cadet 3rd Class Samuel Posey
Cadet 3rd Class Caleb Ziegler

* Denotes second-time ace
** Denotes third-time ace