Inducted
2014
Degrees
- BS, aerospace engineering, WVU, 1990
- MS, mechanical engineering, WVU, 1991
- Ph.D., WVU, 1994
Dr. John S. Tomblin completed his BSAE in 1990, MSME in 1991 and Ph.D. in 1994, all from WVU. He began his career in 1994 as an assistant professor of Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State University. He was promoted to associate professor in 2000 and professor in 2004. He is currently the senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State and executive director of WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). He is also a Bloomfield Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering.
As senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs for Wichita State University (WSU), Tomblin oversees more than 1,500 staff in laboratories and centers focused on applied learning, technology, innovation and smart manufacturing. These include the Cyber Security and Forensics Group, Ennovar Technology Solutions, FirePoint Innovations Center, GoCreate, Kansas Procurement and Technical Assistance Center, Molecular Diagnostics Lab, National Institute for Aviation Research, National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation, Strategic Initiatives, Shocker Career Accelerator and Technology Training Team.
As executive director of WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research, Tomblin has grown the university’s aerospace engineering R&D portfolio from $20 million in 2004 to more than $190 million in 2021. This places WSU fourth among all U.S. universities that perform aerospace R&D. This activity is driven by more than 1,100 employees in 20 laboratories encompassing 1.5 million square feet in six locations across the city of Wichita.
One of Tomblin’s most significant accomplishments is extending NASA’s AGATE program into the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), which gained acceptance from the FAA and EASA in 2010 and 2014 respectively. Another significant accomplishment is the establishment and growth the Digital Twin Program at WSU-NIAR, which has led to sustainment support and life extension for aircraft such as the F-18 Hornet, B-1 Lancer, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, F-16 Viper and M113 armored personnel carrier. He was also integral in the development and rapid growth of the NIAR WERX MRO program, established in 2020 with the announcement of its first Boeing 777 passenger to freighter conversion program.