Associate Professor Ryan Caverly Receives Morse Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Award
May 6, 2026
Caverly was recognized alongside the other award recipients at a ceremony held in mid-April.
Ryan Caverly, associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM), has been named a recipient of the Horace T. Morse Alumni Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education. He is one of just 11 faculty members selected from across all five University of Minnesota campuses this year and the only honoree from the College of Science and Engineering. He is the first AEM faculty member to be selected for this award since 1979.
Caverly joined the department as an assistant professor in 2018 before being promoted to associate professor in 2025. His research focuses on the dynamic modeling and control of aerospace, mechanical, and robotic systems. Current projects include the design and validation of a concept for controlling the attitude of solar sails.
Alongside his research, Caverly has dedicated significant effort to enhancing the undergraduate experience.
“I’ve taken some risks with how I approach teaching and advising,” Caverly said. “It’s nice to know that it’s paid off.”
One example of this approach is his decision to bring three-dimensional dynamics topics traditionally reserved for seniors or graduate students to sophomores, giving students the opportunity to engage with advanced material earlier in their academic careers. While the coursework is challenging, Caverly has found that students rise to the occasion.
Caverly joined the department as an assistant professor in 2018 before being promoted to associate professor in 2025. His research focuses on the dynamic modeling and control of aerospace, mechanical, and robotic systems. Current projects include the design and validation of a concept for controlling the attitude of solar sails.
Alongside his research, Caverly has dedicated significant effort to enhancing the undergraduate experience.
“I’ve taken some risks with how I approach teaching and advising,” Caverly said. “It’s nice to know that it’s paid off.”
One example of this approach is his decision to bring three-dimensional dynamics topics traditionally reserved for seniors or graduate students to sophomores, giving students the opportunity to engage with advanced material earlier in their academic careers. While the coursework is challenging, Caverly has found that students rise to the occasion.
He also partnered with fellow AEM faculty to launch the Summer Research Mentorship Program (SRMP), which provides undergraduates with full-time summer research opportunities under faculty supervision, along with mentorship from current graduate students. Following a successful pilot, the program is now entering its second year.
Above all, Caverly emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his work. Many of the students he mentors have published their work in journal articles and national conference proceedings.
“I take my advising time with undergrads seriously,” he said. “I remember the dedication my advisors showed and how much I valued their mentorship, so I want to pay that forward.”
Above all, Caverly emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his work. Many of the students he mentors have published their work in journal articles and national conference proceedings.
“I take my advising time with undergrads seriously,” he said. “I remember the dedication my advisors showed and how much I valued their mentorship, so I want to pay that forward.”