Visiting Scholar Breaks Barriers

One of the nation’s most elite former fighter pilots visited St. Mark’s as this year’s Robert E. Dennard Visiting Scholar. Michelle “Mace” Curran recently left the United States Air Force (USAF) after an impressive 12-year career as an F-16 fighter pilot and instructor. From 2018 to 2021, she flew with the Thunderbirds, the USAF’s prestigious Air Demonstration Squadron and was the group’s first female Lead Soloist.

 

During her two days on campus, Ms. Curran visited with numerous students across all three Divisions. Her wide-ranging background allowed her to share relevant lessons and experiences with boys in physics, journalism, military history, and more. During meetings and assemblies with Lower, Middle, and Upper Schoolers, Ms. Curran discussed how trust and teamwork were vital parts of her success as a Thunderbird pilot.

 

“Even when I was the Lead Solo, I never flew alone,” she told the boys. “You accomplish so many more great things together by lifting up the person next to you, rather than competing against them.”

 

Ms. Curran showed cockpit footage from her F-16 while flying in tight formation with the Thunderbirds. Sometimes, only a few feet separated their planes as they skimmed the ground at 600 miles per hour. The whole time, she relied on the position of her wingmate to keep her bearings, placing total trust in her fellow pilots. In the Winn Science Center Planetarium, boys got an even more immersive experience as they watched 360-degree cockpit footage projected on the dome, followed by an in-depth discussion of centripetal force.

 

Coincidentally, Ms. Curran arrived at St. Mark’s just after International Women’s Day. Only a fraction of the Air Force’s fighter pilots are women and Ms. Curran is only the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds.

 

“This was a great opportunity for our boys to consider the larger context of women’s roles in typically male-dominated fields,” said Dr. Katherine Magruder, St. Mark’s Humanities teacher and Visiting Scholar Program Director. “Despite the under-representation of women, Ms. Curran achieved the height of her field, and indeed she is now passionate about inspiring others to dream big, defy stereotypes and other obstacles, and push the limits.”

 

As a Thunderbird pilot, Ms. Curran performed at numerous airshows and special events, including the flyover at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. Before joining the Thunderbirds, she was a combat-proven fighter pilot completing missions across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

 

At the end of each assembly, Ms. Curran challenged the boys: “Be bold, be brave, and chase your big scary dream. As a kid, I would never have imagined that I was going to fly a fighter aircraft, much less fly for the Thunderbirds. So, I want you guys to think about the things you want to do. At your age, nothing is out of reach.”

Click here to watch Michelle Curran speaking with Upper, Middle, and Lower School students. 

About the Dennard Visiting Scholar
Each year, the Robert E. Dennard Visiting Scholars Program brings to campus noted professionals who share their knowledge and experience with the school community. The Program is supported by the Robert E. Dennard Memorial Fund, the D. Gordon Rupe Foundation, and the Margaret McDermott and Ida Green Lectureship Fund. Robert E. Dennard served on the St. Mark’s Board of Trustees from 1964 to 1982.