Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards (SIHOF)
Nominations for the 2023 SIHOF Awards are now OPEN! Please download and submit your application byApril 5th, 2023.
The 12th Annual
Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards
The Air Zoo and Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, in partnership with Western Michigan University, are proud to host the 12th annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire tomorrow. This inspiring evening celebrates outstanding humans who have made significant contributions to aviation and who inspire others in STEAM fields. In addition to award presentations, the evening includes music, dinner, a cash bar, and unlimited inspiration. Awardees are split into two categories, theMichigan Aviation Hall of Fame and theScience Innovation Hall of Fame. The 2025 Michigan Aviation Hall of FameEnshrinees and more can be found below.
This year's award ceremony will be emceed byVon Washington, Jr. and will take place onSaturday, May 17 at 6pm.Doors open at 5pm.
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Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame
What is the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinement?
The Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to recognize men and women who have made significant contributions to aviation. Each year, the Air Zoo is proud to induct a new class of enshrinees during the annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards. These new enshrinees will take their place in the Hall of Fame exhibit located inside the Air Zoo, following the ceremony. Learn more!
For questions about nominating someonefor the 2026 Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, email Ben Pageor call 269.350.2819 today.
Voting has ended for the 2025 Enshrinement Ceremony.
Congratulations to our 2025 Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees!
Walter and William Good - RC Airplane Innovators
Twin brothers Walter and William ‘Bill’ Good were born in 1916 and raised in Kalamazoo. As boys, they designed and sold small wooden and paper model airplanes, selling them for 10 cents. At Kalamazoo College in 1933, with Bill’s radio skills and Walt’s model-building talents, started work on radio control model airplanes. In 1937, they successfully flew the first radio-controlled aircraft, the “Big Guff”. The Guff flew over 1,000 times and resides in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. During World War II, the brothers worked on research projects to aid the war effort. Both also went on to successful careers as physicists. Walter was inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame (1969) and Vintage Radio Control Society Hall of Fame (1975). They were both inducted into the Society of Antique Modelers Hall of Fame (1989) and received the Distinguished Alumni Award (1977) from Kalamazoo College. William passed away in 2001, Walter in 2002.
Capt. Arthur J. Schultz, Jr. - WWII USN Dive Bomber Pilot
A native of the Detroit-area, Arthur Schultz Jr. took his air training at Grosse Ile Naval Air Station. In May 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Schultz, piloting a dive-bomber off the carrier USSLexington, dropped a 500-pound bomb on the Japanese aircraft carrierShōhō, helping to sink it. His aircraft was heavily damaged in the attack. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery. Schultz became of Grosse Ile Naval Air Station before retiring from the Navy as a Captain. In 1963, he was appointed manager of Detroit City Airport (now Coleman A. Young International Airport). Schultz also served as deputy administrator of the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC. He died January 23, 2003.
Rick Herter - Aviation Artist
Rick Herter grew up near the Dowagiac airport and took his first flight at the age of 13. After graduating from Spring Arbor University with a Commercial Art Degree, Herter relocated to Kalamazoo, MI where he began to combine his skill and talent for art with his passion for aviation. Herter committed to aviation art fully in 1990 and was commissioned to complete art for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, as well as aerospace manufacturers and airlines. One of Herter’s best-known works, and certainly the largest, is the 26,000 square foot “Century of Flight” mural, hand painted with assistant Tony Hendrick over 14 months for the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center in Portage, MI.
Lt. Col. Adrian Eichhorn - Engineer and Civilian Pilot
Lt. Colonel (Retired) Adrian A. Eichhorn was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on December 14, 1955, while his father was serving in the U.S. Army. In 1963, his family returned to Michigan. Eichhorn earned a BS Engineering degree from Michigan Tech and then began a 20-year career in the Army. His aviation career encompasses more than 25,000 hours of flight time for airline, corporate, and federal jobs. As a contract pilot for the FAA and NASA, during which he routinely flew Presidential cabinet members and astronauts. In 2016, he completed a solo round-the-world flight in his Beech Bonanza. This was followed by a non-stop flight over the North Pole in 2021. He has been named the FAA Safety Counselor of the Year and the FAA Maintenance Technician of the Year. Today, Eichhorn uses his experience to advocate for aviation safety as a published author and podcaster.
Kathie Viglianti - Flight Attendant
Kathie Viglianti was born and raised in Detroit, MI and joined Delta Airlines in 1972. After a year in the airline’s reservation department, she transferred to in-flight service and trained as a flight attendant. Over an ongoing 52-year career, Viglianti has flown aboard nearly every single type of aircraft operated by Delta Airlines from 1950s-era Douglas DC-8s to the ultra-modern Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 and everything in between. With over 6,000 flight legs over her career, Viglianti has served over 1.5 million passengers across 74 countries. Viglianti is still working at Delta among the top 1% in the airline’s flight attendant seniority, ranking number 138 of over 28,000 flight attendants.
Science Innovation Hall of Fame
What are the Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards all about?
Combined with the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, this festive and interactive event recognizes southwest Michigan high school students and K-12 level educators who have innovated and excelled within, or shown exceptional support of, education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). In order to remain competitive in today’s global economy, it is critical for our youth to excel in these vital disciplines. With over ninety innovative educational programs, including classes, camps, field trips, and off-site events, the Air Zoo is spearheading STEAM initiatives in our region and highlighting local careers available in these important fields.
Our hope is that the Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards play a major role in encouraging local students and educators to embrace STEAM education, ultimately helping to ensure a thriving local economy for years to come.
All SIHOF award recipients receive a cash scholarship.
Apply For a SIHOF Award
We are currently accepting SIHOF applications for high school students and K-12 educators in southwest Michigan excelling in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics). If you know someone who fits this description, please share the applicationwith them!
Applications are due by April 25. For more info, visitairzoo.org/sihof.
Award Descriptions:
Student Excellence Award | $1000 Financial Award
The Student Excellence Award honors high school students who excel in the studies of science while also seeking to expand their knowledge and leadership skills outside of the classroom.
Student Art & Science Award | $1000 Financial Award
The Student Art & Science Award recognizes a high school student who exemplifies the special harmony between arts and sciences.
Educator Excellence Award | $750 Financial Award
The Educator Excellence Award recognizes excellence and innovation in the teaching of STEAM subjects, the fostering of deep and meaningful student learning, and generation of exceptional student achievement.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Show your support for our region's best and brightest Educators, Students, and Innovators in 2025! Download a sponsorship guideHERE. You or your company can play a major role in supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math education in our area! Next event to be held in 2025.
To learn more about SIHOF and MAHOF please contact Nikki Statler, Air Zoo Director of Marketing and Development viaemailor at 269.350.2815.
Come visit us.
Great place! Very interesting educational and informational! Great place to take the whole family as there is something for young children up to adults!
blackeyedsusan2018
We took our grown daughters and young grandsons to the Air Zoo. It was very entertaining for all of us. There is so much to see and do. Rides for the whole family!
Rick C