Professor inducted into national class of associate fellows

PeopleEducation

Jan 17

Kenneth D. Visser, Professor of Engineering at Calvin University, has been selected as a member of the Class of 2025 Associate Fellows of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest aerospace professional society.

AIAA associate fellows are recognized as leaders in the aerospace community, having made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics and astronautics. According to the AIAA Constitution, this distinction is reserved for individuals who have accomplished or led significant engineering or scientific work or whose work has been of outstanding merit.

Each year, only one member for every 150 AIAA members is selected as an associate fellow. Visser earned this prestigious recognition for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of aerodynamics and his dedication to improving fuel efficiency and sustainable power generation.

Dr. Kenneth D. Visser’s notable achievements span multiple industries, including aviation, transportation, and renewable energy. His work on aerodynamics contributed to the fuel-efficient design of Boeing aircraft, such as the 767-400ER, and collaborations with global companies to reduce aircraft drag. In the trucking industry, his aerodynamic enhancements for tractor-trailers, including patented skirts and extensions, have saved over 1.4 billion gallons of fuel annually. Additionally, Visser’s development of a ducted wind turbine to optimize airflow led to the founding of Ducted Wind Turbines, Inc., advancing renewable energy solutions with over $2 million in funding.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Visser’s induction into the AIAA Associate Fellows Class of 2025,” said Noah Toly, Provost, Calvin University’. “His achievements reflect the caliber of expertise and innovation that Calvin University faculty bring to their fields, and we are proud to see his work recognized on this global stage.”