Submitted photo Odell Reynolds, a Marshall High School graduate, is a recipient of the Harold Brown Award. He and his wife, Stacey, are pictured in front of a research facility.

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall has a national award winning scientist among its high school alumni.

Odell Reynolds, a 1987 Marshall High School graduate, is the recent recipient of the Harold Brown Award from the United States Air Force.

The award is given annually to a scientist who helps to solve a scientific or technical issue with Air Force equipment. Reynolds led a 30-member research team that improved the imaging capability of space observation technology. He received the award last winter.

“We try to get better images by removing optical distortions caused by an atmosphere,” Reynolds said. “We take the twinkle out of the stars. I get to run experiments on the telescopes to find ways of making our systems work better.”

Reynolds lived in the Russell area while growing up. After his high school graduation in Marshall, he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University.

He then did his graduate education in Ohio. He and his wife, Stacey, are the parents of young adult triplets. They live in New Mexico.

Reynolds said he often stayed after school at Samuel Lutheran School in Marshall to do extra work with science experiments. In high school, he found that competitive academic activities such as math team and knowledge bowl helped to motivate him to choose an engineering career.

“I chose to be an engineer in the Air Force because I thought the military was on the cutting edge of technology.” he said. “They had the coolest equipment. They still do.”

His technical team was recently placed under the supervision of the U.S. Space Force. He welcomes the change because of the potential for the space program to reach new heights in the next few years.

“The interest that we’re seeing in the space program is a good thing,” Reynolds said. “The Internet started with the military and then took off when the private sector got involved. Private sector interest in space technology could have a similar effect.”

He encourages young people who have an interest in math and science to consider pursuing one of many potential career opportunities in those fields.

He said it’s important to take advantage of science and technology learning opportunities at a young age. He added that many universities throughout the country furnish undergraduates with good starting points.

“I’d tell them to go for it,” he said. “The opportunities are endless and demand is high. I’ve found my science and technology career very rewarding.”

Reynolds’ mother JoAnn, who still lives in Marshall, said Odell’s experiences at Samuel Lutheran School and Marshall High School became a good foundation for his career.

She was surprised to hear that he was recognized as one of the outstanding scientists in the Air Force and Space Force.

“It was a surprise to me and to him,” JoAnn said. “You don’t expect a family member to get this kind of an award. It’s good that the Air Force recognizes people for science. They’re showing that science is important.”