Johns Hopkins APL’s Van Wie Honored for National Security Leadership

Dave Van Wie knew his family was proud of the degrees he earned from the University of Maryland School of Engineering — his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering coming over a decade of study.

But the impact on one particular family member became clear one day when Van Wie was cleaning out family records and found a wallet that belonged to his late grandfather, who was born in the early 1900s and ended his education after eighth grade. In it, he found a news clipping about his graduation from the University of Maryland, a memento of accomplishment his grandfather had proudly carried until the day he died.

Van Wie, now head of the Air and Missile Defense Sector at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, said the discovery was an important reminder that the University of Maryland and schools like it can have a lifelong impact not just on students but also on their extended families. He shared this story in his keynote address at the 75th anniversary celebration in October of the school’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, part of what is now named the A. James Clark School of Engineering.

The event was one of two held late in 2024 where he was recognized for his long association and professional success as an alumnus. The school also honored Van Wie on Nov. 7, at its Annual Recognition Dinner, where Clark School Dean Samuel Graham and fellow leaders bestowed on him the inaugural Kevin C. Greenaugh Award for demonstrating “professional excellence at the intersection of strategic leadership, technical contributions and impact on national security.”

The award is named for recently deceased alumnus Kevin Greenaugh, who rose through 35 years of federal service to become chief science and technology officer of defense programs of the National Nuclear Security Administration. Greenaugh was a leader in the field of nuclear deterrence and national security and made major contributions in science and engineering. He was also the first Black doctoral graduate in nuclear engineering at the Clark School.

Van Wie was lauded specifically for leadership and achievements in public service, addressing grand societal challenges, and for the technical impact of his work addressing critical national priorities. A 40-year veteran of APL and member of its Executive Council, he received the award from Graham, University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines and Clark School Chief Development Officer Jennifer Schwartz before more than 100 attendees.

Van Wie said he was deeply honored to be recognized in memory of such an accomplished fellow graduate who made tremendous contributions to the security of the nation.

“I was surprised and appreciative of this recognition in honor of Kevin and his family,” he said, adding that the education they received laid the foundation for a career addressing emerging national security challenges and technological solutions, all against the backdrop of profound geopolitical change.

School Ties

Van Wie has maintained an enduring, multi-decade association with his alma mater. In his keynote to a banquet room filled with fellow alumni, faculty, students and patrons, he shared how he first arrived on campus in 1976 as a 17-year-old, then remained for nearly 10 years studying aerospace engineering. He met his wife, Elaine, on campus and stayed closely engaged with the school for another 20 years, teaching part-time as a lecturer in aerodynamics and propulsion while growing his full-time career at APL and working to strengthen the relationship between the school and the Laboratory.

Today, APL employs hundreds of staff who hold engineering degrees from the University of Maryland.

Van Wie credited the guidance of his dedicated teachers and mentors and recognized the school’s impact not only on national aerospace sector technical advancements but also on the lives of its students, alumni and families. He continues to serve the school’s Department of Aerospace Engineering as a member of its Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

As head of the Air and Missile Defense Sector — a role he has held since 2019 — Van Wie is responsible for executing critical programs that advance the nation’s ability to defend against threats to the U.S. homeland, forward-deployed forces, allies and partners. He has also continued his work as an educator: He holds a faculty position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a second master’s degree in electrical engineering.