Colorado State University Names Rex Sjostrom 2004 College of Engineering Alumnus
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Colorado State University will name Rex W. Sjostrom, retired Vice President for Martin Marietta Astronautics Group, as the College of Engineering's 2004 Honor Alumnus Award winner at the Distinguished Alumni Award Dinner on May 7. Sjostrom will be also be recognized at the College of Engineering's Annual Dinner & Dance on April 17. Sjostrom, who graduated from Colorado State in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and in 1956 with a master's degree in electrical engineering, is being honored for a lifetime of outstanding achievements in astronautic design and for the exceptional dedication he has shown to the college.
"Rex Sjostrom is a superior public servant and friend to the College of Engineering," said Steve Abt, interim dean of the College of Engineering. "Throughout his career and his retirement he has been instrumental in the growth and success of the college. His dedication and pride in his alma mater make him a true ambassador of the college."
During his 36-year career with Martin Marietta, Sjostrom held a number of engineering staff and management positions, culminating in the position of Vice President for Special Programs from 1984 to 1992. His career accomplishments include designing the ground system instrumentation for Titan I and II, the first in a series of heavy payload launch vehicles; designing telecommunications for the OV4-3 satellite; and designing and managing the telemetry, total electronics and control of surface operations for the Viking Mars Lander, the first spacecraft to operate on the surface of Mars. He also served as a member of the TENCAP Advisory Board to the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Space Command.
Sjostrom is a retired Colonel in the Colorado National Guard and the Army Reserve (COARNG) and served as Deputy Commander of the COARNG and Director of the State Area Command at the time of his retirement in 1979 after more than 30 years of service.
Among his accolades, Sjostrom received the NASA Public Service Award in 1977 for contributions to the Viking Mars exploration program; two Martin Marietta Jefferson Cups, the corporation's highest award, in 1984 and 1991; and the Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions to the National Guard and the Army Reserve. He has also been recognized in Who's Who in the West.
Sjostrom and his family have been highly involved with Colorado State University for more than 50 years. Sjostrom's wife Joan attended Colorado State as an occupational therapy major, and their daughter Sandra Link followed in Joan's footsteps, graduating with a degree in OT in 1977. Their other three children majored in engineering: Dr. Anne Sjostrom earned her M.S. ('88) and Ph.D. ('92) degrees in mechanical engineering, Sharon Sjostrom graduated in mechanical engineering in 1989, and their son John Sjostrom earned his B.S. ('86) and M.S. ('89) in civil engineering.
In 2002 the Sjostrom family's generosity enabled the College of Engineering to establish a high-tech Internet Cafe, blending up-to-date computer technology with a laid-back, coffee-friendly workspace. Sjostrom continues to support student education by providing academic scholarships to students at Colorado State.
Sjostrom has served as President and member of the College of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council and currently serves as a class agent for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Additionally, he served as the 1870 Club President's Associate, is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and a member of both the Colorado State University Frontier Society and the President's Society. He previously received the College's Distinguished Service Award.