Home Index
Brigadier General
David A. Wagie
Permanent Professor 1992–2004
Vice Dean of the Faculty 1996–1998
Dean of the Faculty 1998–2004
B.S., United States Air Force Academy
M.S., Stanford University
M.S., University of Southern California
Ph.D., Purdue University
Dave Wagie, the Academy’s 58th Permanent Professor, was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, in 1949. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Sciences as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in 1972. Entering graduate school, he received a Master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 1973. He completed pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ, in 1974 and flew KC-135s in the 310th Refueling Squadron at Plattsburgh AFB, NY, from 1974 until 1979. While at Plattsburg, Dave earned a Master’s degree in Systems Management through the University of Southern California extension program and attended Squadron Officer School, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate. In 1979 he was assigned to the Air Force Academy to teach in the Department of Astronautics and Computer Science and serve as a T-41 Instructor Pilot. In 1981 Dave enrolled at Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, and received his PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1984. He then was assigned to the 4952nd Test Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, where he served as an EC-135 Research Pilot, Director of Test Operations, and Deputy Division Chief, Aircraft and Avionics, until 1986. He then attended Air Command and Staff College where he was named a Distinguished Graduate in 1987. Dave returned to the Air Force Academy in 1987 to again teach in the Department of Astronautics and instruct in the T-41. He was appointed a Permanent Professor in 1992 and served as Head, Department of Military Arts and Science (also the Deputy Commandant for Military Instruction) until 1994. He was then chosen to be the Director of the Commandant of Cadets’ Center for Character Development. He became the Vice Dean of the Faculty in 1996. Dave was selected as the Dean of the Faculty in 1998 and promoted to brigadier general effective July 1, 1998. Under his tenure, the Academy was 1 of 16 institutions nationally selected in 2000 as a prestigious “Leadership Institution” by the American Association of Colleges & Universities. Dave retired in 2004.
Upon his retirement, Dave served as an Educational Consultant to the United Arab Emirates Minister of Education for two years, responsible for upgrading the Khalifa Air College (the UAE’s Air Force Academy). He also coordinated creation of a new campus of the Paris-Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. In this latter role, he directed the overall project, including marketing, advertising, enrollment, and a $9 million budget. In 2007 he became the 14th President of Saint Gregory’s University, Shawnee, OK, and served in that position until 2009. From 2010 to 2014, he served as the Director of Aerospace and Defense Economic Development for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, connecting universities, government, and industry to expand aerospace and defense businesses in Oklahoma. He makes his home in suburban Phoenix.