Catherine Ni '00 Distinguished Alumna

 

Catherine Ni ’00, Rowan University’s 2020 Distinguished Alumna

As director of Advanced Rotary Wing and Ground Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, Fla., Catherine Ni is a long way from the labs and study spaces of Rowan Hall.

But she carries lessons of her days as a Rowan mechanical engineering major everywhere she goes.

Ni, who also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Drexel University, is responsible for the strategy, product development and execution of multiple programs that help keep our country safe including products and resources for the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. In addition to her Rowan and Drexel degrees, Ni is a graduate of Lockheed Martin’s Operations Leadership Development Program.

Since joining Lockheed Ni has held various positions of increasing responsibility, all of them in support of America’s Armed Forces.

Among her many accolades, Ni received the Rowan College of Engineering Alumni award in 2014 and was featured in the Rowan Magazine special Rowan 40 under 40 feature in 2016.

During her time at Rowan, Ni was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, served with the Student Government Association and helped found the Society of Women Engineers at Rowan. She was also part of the first team of Public Safety Practitioners, a four-year commitment that provided room and board in exchange for public safety and proctor duties.

A volunteer with the Orlando Food Bank, she and her husband, James, are longtime supporters of the University. In 2011 the couple established an annual scholarship for Engineering students and, in 2016, created an endowed Engineering scholarship fund. Ni has also been an active participant in various Rowan groups including the Alumni Committee and the Dean's Advisory board.

Presented annually at Commencement, the Distinguished Alumnus(a) Award honors alumni who personify the Rowan University tradition of excellence and who have brought credit to the University through personal accomplishment, professional achievement and/or humanitarian service.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, is one of four awards presented annually by the Rowan University Alumni Association Board of Directors.