Colorado State’s College of Engineering Names Â??space Engineer’ Rex Sjostrom as 2004 Honor Alumnus Award Winner

Note to Editors: A print-quality photograph of Rex Sjostrom is available on request.

Colorado State University will name Rex Sjostrom, retired vice president of Special Programs at Martin Marietta, as the College of Engineering’s 2004 Alumnus Award winner at the Colorado State University Alumni Association’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner on May 7.  

Sjostrom, who graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s in civil engineering, and master’s in electrical engineering in 1956, is being honored for his professional success and in recognition of his lasting dedication to Colorado State.

Throughout his distinguished career at Martin Marietta, Sjostrom was responsible for designing the ground system instrumentation for Titan I and II, design of the telecommunications for the OV4-3 satellite and design and management of the telemetry and total electronics for the highly successful Viking Mars Lander as well as control of Lander operations on the surface of Mars.

"Sjostrom is one of the most accomplished and dedicated engineering alumni I have met," said Steven Abt, interim dean of the College of Engineering. "He is certainly one of the very best ambassadors the College of Engineering has and is more than worthy of this award."

Among many accolades, Sjostrom received the NASA Public Service Award for contributions to the Viking Mars exploration program, two Martin Marietta Jefferson Cups, the corporation’s highest award, and the Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions to the National Guard and the Army Reserve.  

Sjostrom has continually stayed involved with Colorado State’s College of Engineering through several leadership efforts. He served as president of the Dean’s Advisory Council and currently serves as the class agent for the electrical and computer engineering department. He is a member of the Colorado State University Frontier Society, the President’s Society and the 1870 club, and has contributed to the university via monetary support since 1978.

Sjostrom’s financial contributions have additionally enabled the college to establish the Internet Caf?, a unique, high-tech gathering place for engineering students. He also continues to support the college in the form of academic scholarships.  

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