April 14, 2023 | Claire Tremont

Two UConn-Affiliated Engineers Selected For The National Academy of Engineers

Thomas Prete and David Furrer were elected into the National Academy of Engineering in February. The pair were recognized in a celebratory reception in South Windsor on Thursday evening.

Shabazz Napier. Photo provided by Division of Athletics

A group celebrates the NAE.

Goeff Hunt, Radenka Maric, David Furrer, Thomas Prete and Kazem Kazerounian celebrate the NAE induction.

By Claire Galvin, Manager of Communications and Digital Strategy

University of Connecticut engineers are lauding the national recognition of two UConn-affiliated engineers into the National Academy of Engineers this year.

Thomas Prete
Thomas Prete is the Vice President of Military Engineering at Pratt & Whitney.

Thomas Prete and David Furrer were elected into the National Academy of Engineering in February. The pair were recognized in a celebratory reception in South Windsor on April 13, 2023.

Prete and Furrer are both UConn Academy of Distinguished Engineers members inducted in 2008. Prete is also a member of the School’s advisory board which provides input and advice on issues of importance to the school.

Furrer is a Senior Fellow Discipline Lead of Materials and Processes at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford. He was recognized through NAE for the development and industrial implementation of computational modeling tools enabling efficient material/process/product design of legacy and emerging aerospace alloys.

Prete is the Vice President of Military Engineering at Pratt & Whitney’s Northford location. He was selected through the NAE for engineering leadership in developing and servicing advanced military and commercial aircraft jet engines.

In attendance Thursday were Prete, Furrer and their families, as well as UConn President Radenka Maric, UConn Provost Anne D’Alleva, Engineering School Dean Kazem Kazerounian and other UConn and UConn School of Engineering faculty and staff.

David Furrer
David Furrer is a Senior Fellow Discipline Lead of Materials and Processes at Pratt & Whitney.

“It’s an honor to be among these esteemed engineers this evening,” Kazerounian said. “Tom and David have made significant contributions to the aerospace and military fields and thoroughly deserve this national attention.”

Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership to the nation.

According to the organization’s website, it has more than 2,000 peer-elected members, senior professionals in business, academia, and government who are among the world’s most accomplished engineers. They provide leadership and expertise for projects focused on the relationships between engineering, technology and the quality of life.

More information about the UConn Academy of Distinguished Engineers is available online: https://www.engr.uconn.edu/academy-profile/.