Who was Ruth Novak?

Ruth Novak (1936-2025) was a pioneer in the aerospace industry and one of the founding members of the ARCS Utah Chapter.  ARCS Utah board member Ruth Novak had gravitas as a woman whose career and life exemplified success and the importance of STEM.

Novak was the only woman in her first math class at Utah State University and graduated in 1960 with a Master’s degree in mathematics.   She explained,  “by this time, the space race had ramped up, and opportunities in STEM fields were opening up to men and women.” 

When she first went to meet with recruiters for Hercules Aerospace Corporation on campus, a receptionist asked Novak, “who are you going to be secretary for?”  Novak was hired as a statistician in the company’s Quality Assurance Department, and her career was launched.  Being a woman then “wasn’t a hardship,” Novak told an interviewer. “Everyone was new and at the time there wasn’t a real hierarchy. I was recognized for what I did, not who I was.”

Novak worked her way up at the company, from department manager to program manager and eventually to becoming Vice President of Navy Programs for Hercules/ATK (now Northrup Grumman). In that role she was responsible for directing the Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Programs. In 1987, she was named General Manager of the Utah operation of the corporation, heading up all operations, ranging from strategic and space to science and technology, overseeing nearly 3,800 personnel. Overall, in her career at Hercules, she aided in designing and manufacturing rocket motors for the boosters of space missiles. Later she worked for Charles Stark Draper Laboratories, a company that specialized in guidance and navigation technologies.  

The Lifetime Achievement Award that Ruth received from the Women Tech Council is just one of numerous awards Novak has received in Utah. She was given an honorary Doctor of Science and Engineering Degree at Utah State University, the Governor’s Medal in Science and Technology Award, and the Utah ARCS Light Award, to name a few.  Watch the video of Ruth’s Lifetime Achievement Award and read about her background in this great article from Utah State University.

Novak was also known for her extensive community work. In addition to being a founding member of the ARCS Utah Chapter, she was also instrumental in starting the Utah Math and Science Network, which encourages girls in middle and high school to study in STEM with an annual event called Expanding Your Horizons.  She was also a member of the Utah State University College of Science Advisory Board, where she advised deans and department heads on ways to prepare aspiring scientists for success in academic and professional pursuits.  Ruth also participated in the Utah Women’s Forum, the Utah Chapter of the International Women's Forum, and The Coalition for Utah’s Future; the latter initiated by the late Utah Governor Scott Matheson.

The Ruth Novak Memorial Scholar Award 

Ruth was a tremendous supporter of education and was influential in starting and supporting many organizations with a focus on STEM education, especially for women.  As a founding member of the Utah Chapter of the ARCS Foundation, Inc., she often commented that supporting ARCS Scholar Awards was one of her favorite non-profits.  Annually, she contributed a generous portion of one of our $15,000 awards.  We can’t think of any better way to remember Ruth than to continue her legacy of support for STEM education by establishing the Ruth Novak Memorial Scholar Award Fund.

The fund is open now and at the end of this fiscal year (June 30, 2026) the number and timing of awards will be determined.  Ideally the fund will contain enough money to allow the awarding of a $15,000 award each year in perpetuity but be assured that 100% of donated funds will be used for Utah scholar awards in Ruth’s memory.  As you plan your philanthropy this year, please consider this opportunity to remember Ruth and keep her legacy alive.

How to donate

The Utah Chapter of ARCS Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 and so all donations are considered tax deductible. Of course, always consult your tax advisor.   Our tax id is 27-0574915.

Credit Card, Check or Venmo

Click here to use a credit card or to get detailed instructions for using Venmo or donating by check, including the mailing address for checks.

Other Donations

For  donations of stock or from donor advised funds or retirement accounts, please email utah@arcsfoundation.org for details.