A lifelong supporter of Central College, Bill Rankin ’69 is one of this year’s alumni award winners. Rankin received his degree in psychology from Central. After fulfilling his military service, he earned his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Washington State University in 1976.
For 10 years, Rankin worked for the Battelle Seattle Research Centers. He also served on the State of Washington Citizen’s Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for six years. In 1983, he received the Alice Ralls Memorial Award given by the Washington State Council on Alcoholism for “Outstanding Service in Combating Alcoholism.”
Rankin joined The Boeing Company in 1986. He was promoted to Boeing Associate Technical Fellow in 1998 and to Boeing Technical Fellow in 2002. In 2000, Rankin received the International Federation of Airworthiness’ Whittle Safety Award for the Maintenance Error Decision Aid process. He also received the Flight Safety Foundation/Airbus Human Factors in Aviation Safety Award in Lisbon, Portugal, for his body of work in the field of flight safety.
Rankin has co-authored five books, 22 journal articles and more than 30 technical reports and has presented at more than 75 international conferences. He has visited 61 countries during business and vacation travel. Outside of traveling, Rankin also enjoys gardening. He is married to Lori Nakahara, a Boeing engineer.
Rankin has served on Central’s National Advisory Council, funds two Central scholarships and supported the Roe Center through purchase of naming rights for three offices and one seminar room. He is a third generation Central graduate and lauds Central College for the liberal arts education he received, which served as the basis of his career.
