Jackson C. Haft Named Graduate Valedictorian at Manhattan University

Manhattan University today announced that Jackson C. Haft will be the University’s Graduate School valedictorian for the class of 2025. He will be the student speaker at the May 16 ceremony to be held on the University campus.

Born in Huntington, NY and raised in Smithtown, NY, Haft has a legacy at the University – his grandfather was a Manhattan University (then Manhattan College) 1958 alum who also majored in electrical engineering. Haft knew early on that he wanted to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Management in 2024.

Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Haft continued at Manhattan where he will be awarded an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. He serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, mentoring freshmen, supporting labs, and assisting in departmental events. His Master’s thesis, “Sensitivity Enhancement of Coplanar Waveguide Antennas for Microwave Breast Cancer Detection” has shown promising results in early-stage cancer detection. Haft also has several publications underway, including “Development of a Modular Dielectric Breast Phantom for Microwave Imaging Applications” and “Thermal Characterization of Sustainable Clay-Dirt Composite Walls Using CPW Antenna Sensors for Heat Transfer Analysis.” He was inducted into Sigma Iota Epsilon for outstanding academic achievement and served as Vice President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society in 2024.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Haft is an Eagle Scout and has served as the Leader of Manhattan University’s Pole Vault squad for the past three years. Additionally, he served as a Resident Assistant for three years, and was an active member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Professionally, he completed multiple internships with the Antenna Group at BAE Systems, Inc. and participated in an eight-week National Science Foundation-funded international research program at the Universidad de Zaragoza in Spain.

Haft stated that Manhattan was “the perfect place” for him, crediting many of his professors who created an environment focused on academic vigor. Kenneth Sumner, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President of Manhattan stated, “Jackson epitomizes the well-rounded student that our university fosters. He has developed an astonishing beginning of a research career coupled with an appreciation for athletics and volunteering – the spirit of a true Jasper!”