Missouri University of Science and Technology awarded two honorary professional degrees during winter commencement ceremonies held Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14. The degrees recognize the outstanding Missouri S&T graduates for professional achievement.

The following S&T alumni received degrees:

Maureen E. Midgley, of Rochester, Mich., senior vice president of global manufacturing engineering for Henkel Corp., earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1982. She has more than 32 years of automotive industry experience, holding positions in engineering and operations management at seven assembly and metal fabrication plants. A past president of the Missouri S&T Academy of Chemical Engineers, Midgley earned a master of science degree in engineering management and operations from Kettering University and is working toward a second master’s in environmental studies from Green Mountain College. She completed Harvard Business School’s Executive Development Program-Asia Pacific and holds an honorary doctorate from Youngstown State University.

Michael O. Vahle of Albuquerque, N.M., chief information officer and vice president of technology services at Sandia National Laboratories, earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mathematics from Missouri S&T in 1971 and 1973, respectively. Vahle has served in various leadership roles at Sandia, including director of operations, planning and strategy for the Defense Systems and Assessments Strategic Management Unit and director of the Space Mission Program. A member of an R&D 100 Award-winning team, he is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories council of CIOs and has published several articles on cryptography, advanced networking, artificial intelligence and operations research. Vahle is a member of the Missouri S&T Academy of Computer Science.