A Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) program analyst recently received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his outstanding efforts with the Southern Maryland Mechanical Engineering Program (SMD-ME).

As part of NAWCAD’s test and evaluation group, Kenneth “Kee” Abell designed and built the NAWCAD Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, located at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. Abell prepared the room, acquired the equipment, performed the bench testing and taught SMD-ME students and faculty how to use the laboratory and its support processes.

To quote C.S. Lewis, ‘The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts,’” said Capt. Chris “CJ” Junge, who presented the award to Abell at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California, Md., May 21. “Kee was watering the deserts. He provided the opportunity for this garden — the labs and facilities — to grow. He was there to help the students finish the research to finish their degrees, and he was available after hours.”

NAWCAD and the University of Maryland jointly established the SMD-ME in 2009. The program is part of NAWCAD’s commitment to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational resources in Southern Maryland, with an overarching goal to bolster NAWCAD’s retention and recruitment and serve the area’s economic and cultural development.

“I don’t think the SMD-ME program would be alive if it weren’t for Kee,” said David Barrett, director of engineering education and research partnerships. “He has been the most exceptional worker I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.”

In the four years since its initiation, the number of students in the program has more than tripled in size, and all the graduates associated with the Navy are current NAWCAD employees.

Abell said he hopes the program continues to grow its student population and expand to include other science and engineering disciplines.

“It’s important to me to see the students and the program succeed,” he said. “Student and program success will help NAVAIR ensure warfighter success.”