Three current and former university faculty members – Col. Tom Akers, Professor Jerry Bayless and Dr. Delbert E. Day – are among 28 “Alumni of Influence” selected by a panel of Missouri University of Science and Technology alumni and faculty. The alumni were honored during a special event on the Missouri S&T campus Saturday, Nov. 12.

Akers, a retired Air Force colonel and NASA astronaut, also taught in the mathematics and statistics department at Missouri S&T for 11 years before retiring last spring. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied mathematics from S&T in 1973 and 1975, respectively.

Bayless, an associate professor of civil engineering, has been a member of the university faculty since 1959, instructing more than 10,000 students during his tenure here. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the university in 1959 and 1962.

Day, a Curators’ Professor emeritus of ceramic engineering, is best known for his pivotal role in developing radioactive glass microspheres that are being used worldwide to treat patients with inoperable liver cancer. He earned his bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering from S&T in 1958.

The Alumni of Influence event was held to recognize graduates whose contributions to society and the campus have had a lasting impact. For more information about the event, all of the honorees and the selection criteria, visit the Alumni of Influence website.