Curtis R. Patterson II

Curtis R. Patterson II began his professional career as a mechanical design engineer with Pratt & Whitney's Space Propulsion Division and now leads integrated product teams as a senior rocket systems design engineer. Since graduating from Southern University in 1993 with a B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, he has fostered a unique rapport and strong relationship with the university. In 1996, he initiated recruitment efforts at Southern and now is Pratt & Whitney's lead recruiter there. He still makes time to mentor youth throughout the nation on space awareness, engineering, science, and technology, and has authored motivational resources for youth, among them "The Engineer in You" and "Water Rocket Design: Principles of Rocketry."