Air Zoo Announces 12th Annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards

Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards trophies and Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame medals await presentation. (Photo courtesy of the Air Zoo).

Air Zoo Announces 12th Annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards and the 2025 Inductees to the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame.

The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center will host the 12th Annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards on Saturday, May 17, at 6 pm. This annual celebration honors the legacy of Michigan aviation leaders and shines a spotlight on the next generation of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) innovators from southwest Michigan. This event is presented by Western Michigan University. Tickets for this event are available now.

A centerpiece of the evening is the induction of the 2025 class of the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to aviation.

This year’s enshrinees are:

• Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Eichhorn: a former Army engineer and JetBlue captain who completed solo flights around the world and over the North Pole. He continues to promote aviation safety as an award-winning author and podcaster.
• Walter and William Good (deceased): pioneering twin brothers from Kalamazoo known for their groundbreaking work in radio-controlled aircraft in the 1930s.
• Rick Herter: a Kalamazoo-based artist. Since 1990, he has created works for the U.S. military and aerospace industry. His most iconic piece is the 26,000-square-foot Century of Flight mural at the Air Zoo.
• Captain Arthur J. Schultz Jr. (deceased): a native of the Detroit area who was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery piloting a dive-bomber during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942.
• Kathie Viglianti: born and raised in Detroit, MI, began her Delta Airlines career in 1972 and soon transitioned from reservations to in-flight service. Over 52 years and more than 6,000 flights, she has served 1.5 million passengers across 74 countries.

Each inductee will take their place in the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. This exhibit is located inside the Air Zoo and has recognized aviation trailblazers since 1987.

In addition to honoring aviation icons, the evening will celebrate outstanding educators and high school students from across southwest Michigan who are driving innovation in STEAM. With hands-on learning and creative thinking at the heart of their work, these awardees are building a brighter future for all.

Applications for the 2025 Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards are currently open and will be accepted until April 25.

Award categories are:

• Student Excellence Award, $1000: Awarded to high school students who excel in science and demonstrate leadership and a commitment to learning beyond the classroom.
• Student Art & Science Award, $1000: Recognizes high school students who exemplify the connection between artistic creativity and scientific discovery.
• Educator Excellence Award, $750: Presented to educators who demonstrate outstanding teaching in STEAM, foster meaningful student engagement, and inspire exceptional achievement.

Join the celebration and show your support for innovation at the Science Innovation Hall of Fame Award. Guests will explore exhibits after hours, enjoy craft drinks and a dinner catered by the Radisson, and connect with fellow STEAM enthusiasts in a vibrant, one-of-a-kind setting. Tickets are on sale now for $25 each.

To learn more about the event, reserve your seat, or apply for a Science Innovation Hall of Fame Award, visit airzoo.org/sihof.

For more about the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame and this year’s enshrinees, visit airzoo.org/michigan-aviation-hall-of-fame.

About the Air Zoo

The Air Zoo is an internationally acclaimed Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center, boasting a renowned collection of over 100 rare and historically significant aircraft and more than 80,000 unique artifacts, displays, and exhibits showcasing history, science, and technology. The Air Zoo stands apart from similar museums and learning centers of its kind, with a keen focus on hands-on learning and engaging educational programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Air Zoo is a one-of-a-kind destination perfect for the whole family with flight simulators, a theater, amusement rides, hands-on exhibits, a restoration program that specializes in WWII planes rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and a one-of-a-kind indoor, hand-painted mural that reaches 32 feet tall and 800 feet wide!