THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY FALL 2017 Passion,assion Pride & Expectation University President P. Barry Butler on the three traits that fueled a lifelong love for learning and aviation. PAGE 16 FROM THE PRESIDENT Volume 13, No. 2 Lift, the alumni magazine of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is published twice Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has which I have now been fortunate to visit on annually (spring and fall). a rich history steeped in the traditions and three separate occasions, offers a smaller, Copyright © 2017 great innovations of the industry that it family-like environment. Project-based learning Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Florida/Arizona/Worldwide serves. As its newly minted sixth president, I and faculty mentorship amplify the educational 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. have been given a truly unique honor to lead experience there. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 All rights reserved this great university. Our Worldwide Campus, with more than Senior Executive Director of Development Throughout my career, I’ve kept an eye 135 locations across the globe, 41 online Christopher Lambert, J.D. on Embry-Riddle. Its reputation and place graduate and undergraduate programs Executive Director of Alumni Relations in the world of aviation and aerospace are including a Ph.D. in Aviation, and a growing Bill Thompson (’87, PC) Executive Director of Alumni & unparalleled. I believe everything in my Asia Campus in Singapore, meets the needs Development Communications professional life to date has worked to of military students, working professionals and Anthony Brown Director of Alumni & Development prepare me for this role — and I am grateful on-the-go millennials. And our online students Communications/Editor for the opportunity. receive a top-notch education. In 2017, Embry- Sara Withrow Assistant Director of Alumni Joining the Embry-Riddle community Riddle had the No. 1 Best Online Bachelor’s & Development Communications offi cially in March was a dream come true for Degree program in the United States, Melanie Stawicki Azam Communications Specialist me and my wife, Audrey. With my background according to U.S. News & World Report. Alan Marcos Pinto Cesar in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, While all of our campuses are involved CONTRIBUTORS and my three decades in higher education in research, the Daytona Beach Campus is Melanie Hanns, Director of Media Relations teaching, research and administration, I feel developing a research hub that promises to Molly Justice, Director of Digital the job is a perfect fi t. Likewise, Audrey, a transform the region, the state of Florida Communications Jason Kadah, Director of Communications seasoned educator and an engineer herself, and beyond. The cornerstone building of and Marketing is looking forward to serving as an active Embry-Riddle’s Research Park, the John Daryl LaBello, Multimedia Producer advocate for the university. Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation David Massey, Multimedia Producer Trevis “T.J.” Matheus (‘11, PC) In my fi rst few months, I’ve met with Complex (MicaPlex), opened this spring and Lacey McLaughlin, Digital Writer corporate partners who speak with great is already teeming with activity. [See related Connor McShane, Multimedia Producer respect about our students and graduates. stories, pages 10–15] Ginger Pinholster, Interim Vice President for Marketing & Communications I’ve talked with alumni who have expressed Our campuses may be geographically James Roddey, Director of Communications an overwhelming pride and ownership distinct, but they are united by an unwavering Bob Score, Media Production Coordinator in their alma mater. And I’ve observed a commitment to student success. Published by MANIFEST LLC shared passion for all things fl ight among our It’s an exciting time for aviation and Senior Editor students, faculty and staff. aerospace. Tremendous challenges lie ahead, Julia Sullivan but as you and I both know, “challenge” is just Art Director It’s true: Embry-Riddle “lives and breathes Carolyn Miller aviation.” And, yet, it is so much more. another word for “opportunity.” You can expect Production Manager Across the university’s campuses, we Embry-Riddle to be front and center when it Lori Orient Production Technology Specialist are engineering technologies for the future comes to researching and innovating solutions Cheryl Beaver and building leaders in areas as diverse as to industry problems — as well as developing Project Manager Wesley Bresette cybersecurity and intelligence, human factors new knowledge. psychology, forensic biology, spacefl ight Join us on the journey! I look forward Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an Affi rmative Action/Equal Opportunity operations, business administration, to making new history for Embry-Riddle Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, astronomy, meteorology, space physics — and with you. age, national origin, handicap, veteran’s status or sexual orientation. as of August, aerospace physiology, to name Nonprofi t identifi cation: 59-0936101. just a few. Regards, Change address, unsubscribe or email the Embry-Riddle’s unique campuses (Daytona editor at [email protected]. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Beach, Prescott, Worldwide/Online and Worldwide – Asia) bring depth and breadth P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. to our academic programs, research and the President, Embry-Riddle student experience. The Prescott Campus, Aeronautical University Fall 2017 16 12 22 8 20 IN OTHER WORDS ALUMNI @WORK 5 The Way South 20 Coaching Up Prescott Campus roommates unite Embry-Riddle creates leaders 16 for epic motorcycle adventure on the court and in the fi eld Great WINGS OF LEGACY GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE 6 From Sea to Air 22 The Father of Flight Expectations How Corinne Smith launched a Instructors fl ight training career at Embry- Prescott alumni rally to name a Embry-Riddle’s sixth Riddle’s Seaplane Base building and a scholarship fund university president, P. Barry for their retired teacher Butler, discusses his FLIGHT PATH passion for aviation and 8 Safety First ALUMNI IN ACTION teaching and his aspirations David Zwegers takes Embry-Riddle 24 Delivering safety culture to a new level at ‘Real Goodness’ for the future Airbus Americas Veteran John Pray serves America’s military families 10 Igniting through Operation Homefront Entrepreneurship Worldwide Campus student business venture takes fl ight with support from Embry-Riddle CHECK OUT THE LIFT WEBSITE! 12 Aerial Precision Read Lift on your desktop, tablet or First fl ex-lease tenant at phone, and get immediate access Embry-Riddle’s Research Park to video and other web extras. advances UAS technology lift.erau.edu 2 Chatter 4 Feedback 26 Alumni News 32 Class Notes News and notes Embry-Riddle alumni A message from the Find out what your from the world of and friends offer Alumni Association, fellow alumni are up AIRBUS: AIRBUS AMERICAS /P. MASCLET, MASTER FILMS. FILMS. MASTER MASCLET, /P. AMERICAS AIRBUS AIRBUS: Embry-Riddle comments and opinions upcoming events and more to now ON THE COVER: President Butler inside Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach observatory, which features the largest university-based research telescope in the state of Florida. Photo by David Massey LIFT FALL 2017 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 1 NEWS & NOTES FROM THE WORLD OF EMBRY-RIDDLE CHATTER Back-to-Back Champs Prescott Campus Golden Eagles Flight Team celebrates 11th national Golden Eagles 2017 Championship Team ALTIMETER: championship HIGH POINTS AT EMBRY-RIDDLE Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus the United States to compete in re ects our institution’s commit- Golden Eagles Flight Team cap- flight and ground events such as ment to excellence in aviation,” The Prescott Campus placed tured its 11th national champion- navigation, computer accuracy, says P. Barry Butler, president of No. 1 and No. 2 in the collegiate division and No. 2 and No. 5 ship title May 914 at the 2017 preflight inspection and more. Embry-Riddle. “These competi- overall at the 2017 Women’s Air National Intercollegiate Flying Four out of the top 10 scorers tors have inspired us to pursue Race Classic. Association (NIFA) Safety and in the individual category were even greater heights.” Flight Evaluation Conference students from Embry-Riddle’s With the 2017 top title, The Prescott Campus Women’s (SAFECON) competition. A con- two teams – more than any Prescott’s Golden Eagles have Golf Team ended the season sistent powerhouse at the com- other students from 27 compet- now won the NIFA SAFECON No. 2 in the nation at the petition, the team placed rst in ing universities. National Championship 11 times NAIA Women’s Golf National 2016 as well, making this year’s Prescott’s Golden Eagles since 1993. The team also has Championship in May. win a back-to-back success. nished with 500 points, the an unbroken 33-year record as Embry-Riddle’s Daytona highest in the team’s history regional champion. Elisabeth H. Murray, assistant professor of security studies Beach Campus Eagles Flight — and 100 points above second- The Daytona Beach team and international affairs at the Team placed sixth. place nisher University of won the national championship Daytona Beach Campus, is the The NIFA SAFECON competi- North Dakota. in 1992, the rst national title for fi rst female president to lead tion brings together collegiate “The success of the Golden the university. the International Network of aviation teams from around Eagles and Eagles ight teams — Melanie Hanns Genocide Scholars. Richard “Pat” Anderson, direc- The certifi cation tor of the Eagle Flight Research included an application Center at the Daytona Beach Certi ed ‘Green’ and a Green Audit by Campus, was awarded the The Worldwide Campus at Lindbergh Electric Aircraft the city. Prize on May 20, 2017. Phoenix Sky Harbor is “We are grateful for recognized for its recycling e orts the support of our stu- Robin Colwell, director of the Embry-Riddle Worldwide dents and faculty, many Campus at Memphis, Tenn., The City of Phoenix recently named of whom recycle at was named a “Power Player the Worldwide Campus at Phoenix Sky home and at work, and in Higher Education” by Inside Harbor a Green Business Leader.