Growing up as a self-described “science nerd” in a small Eastern Washington town, Gary Foss’s career in aerospace engineering took off as a result of regional science fairs.
While working at Boeing, Foss turned his attention to helping the next generation of students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He helped organize and judge several STEM-focused events in Washington, including the science fairs so instrumental to his development.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to science education as well as his decades-long career in the aerospace industry, Foss is being recognized by his alma mater with an honorary doctorate degree this weekend.
“I’m still in kind of a state of shock about it,” Foss said, “I knew my son was up to something when he asked me to put together a CV, which I thought was a strange thing to do considering I’m retired.”
Foss is one of two individuals receiving honorary doctorates from WSU this year alongside astronaut Bonnie Dunbar.
A shared interest in space drove both Foss and Dunbar to pursue their eventual life callings.
A path to aerospace
Foss grew up in Coulee Dam, Washington, a small community best known for the Grand Coulee Dam. Coming of age in the midst of the Space Race, Foss developed an interest in science and technology.
Upon learning about a science fair in Spokane, Foss built a Tesla Coil to show at the event. The encouragement he received drove him to return the following year with a computer he put together using surplus telephone relays.
“Both of those engagements really lit the fuse for my desire to become an engineer someday,” Foss said. “I wanted to build things and I was fascinated to take things apart and see how they worked.”
Washington State University was the logical place to go after high school, Foss recalled, as it had an engineering program and was where most of his friends were going. Upon graduating in 1974, Foss took a job as a mechanical engineer on the Grand Coulee Project back home where he analyzed the vibrations of rotating machinery.
In 1981, Foss moved on to Boeing, where he worked for more than three decades. He served as a test engineer and Boeing Technical Fellow with the Boeing Test & Evaluation Structural Dynamics Lab in Seattle until his retirement in 2016.
About a decade before wrapping up his professional career, Foss was asked by a high school student to assist with their science fair project. That student ended up going on to the International Science Fair, and Foss realized he wanted to do more to help future STEM-minded students discover and pursue their passion.
The importance of science fairs
Kevin Shen, a senior at Olympia High School, is among those students who’ve benefited from Foss’s mentorship in recent years. Shen recently placed seventh in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 Awards, netting himself $70,000 toward his educational pursuits. His project focused on an oblique wing that has variable sweep designs, allowing for significant fuel savings.
“Mentors like Gary help in obvious ways, like providing advice and guidance on the projects themselves, but the biggest thing is really the encouragement and support, especially with initial experiences in high school,” Shen said. “He always encouraged me to keep pushing, which is important in science because with such a high failure rate, you need someone to stick with you so you don’t get too discouraged.”
Foss has contributed to a number of STEM-focused initiatives and science fair organizations in the past 15 years. That includes co-founding the Central Sound Regional STEM Education Foundation in 2019, which sponsors an annual gathering and showcase of projects from students in Puget Sound. Since 2011, Foss has also served the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair in several leadership roles as well as on the Education Committee of the Washington State Academy of Sciences.
Science fairs are where Foss’s affinity for science first took root, and he wants it to continue to be a viable path for STEM-focused students to develop the practical skills necessary to work in those fields. It’s also a vital opportunity for all students to get hands-on experience with the scientific method, which is beneficial no matter what career students end up pursuing.
Universities like WSU are vital in these endeavors, Foss said, from offering awards and scholarships to opportunities to build connections with faculty.
“The biggest need we have for colleges and universities is mentors for students, who benefit tremendously from the opportunity to learn from professors and build support networks,” Foss said.
Foss is set to receive his honorary doctorate from WSU on May 3. More information about commencement activities is available online.
