“Our No. 1 priority is personal attention to student success,” said Butler.
Major construction efforts will include a new wind tunnel to replace the current one. Also being planned are a new contemporary student union building, a new residence hall to accommodate the growing student population, and renovation and improvement of existing buildings.
Deans of the four colleges – Engineering, Aviation, Business, Security and Intelligence, and Arts and Sciences – report growth in their respective programs. Engineering Dean Ron Madler says students and faculty continue to increase internships and partnerships with NASA and other top research and industry leaders worldwide. Aviation Dean Timothy Holt says the number of students in training to become pilots has grown significantly with 110 flights a day. He expects 1,100 or more pilot trainees next year. Business, Security and Intelligence Dean Tom Draper says the college is increasing the number of degree programs it offers. In the College of Arts & Sciences, Dean Zafer Hatahat says a new bachelor’s degree in simulation science, games and animation is being introduced.
Philanthropic Initiatives Rank High on Prescott Campus
Meanwhile, philanthropic efforts supporting ERAU continue to increase. “We awarded $2.3 million in scholarship support to students and we continue to increase the numbers and amounts of scholarships available,” said Office of Development Executive Director Steve Bobinsky. “Keep in mind that philanthropy is not just for scholarships only. Generous contributions help support undergraduate research, networking and internship opportunities, and STEM outreach efforts, especially in the surrounding communities, in Northern Arizona and the greater Phoenix Metro area.”
He noted that the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium and STEM Education Center particularly enhance outreach in local K-12 schools.
National Recognition
In its just-released latest ratings of universities across the nation, U.S. News & World Report ranked ERAU as the No. 1 Regional College in the West. And for the second year in a row, ERAU is ranked No. 1 Best for Veterans.
The Prescott campus also was ranked No. 1 in the list of “Most Innovative Schools in the Western Region.” It ranked No. 2 for “Best Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering Programs without the Ph.D. option.”
On Oct. 6, during his “State of the University” address, ERAU President P. Barry Butler and Chancellor Karlsson acknowledged the prestige of being known nationally as one of the best. “Our No. 1 priority is personal attention to student success,” said Butler. “This independent ranking underscores our unwavering commitment to prepare tomorrow’s leaders in aviation, aerospace, business, cybersecurity, engineering and STEM fields.”
Butler also announced the university has received full accreditation from the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SAC-SCOC).
Homecoming Activities Included Drone Show
Board members and guests, alumni, faculty, staff and students participated in several activities, including a drone show with 200 multi-colored drones, which replaced what had been the traditional homecoming fireworks.
Western Region Alumni Relations Director Michelle Day introduced the following award recipients:
- Jody L. Davis, Distinguished Alumni Award
- Damon D’Agostino, Distinguished Alumni Award
- Dominic A. Narducci IV, Entrepreneur Award
- Mineris Figueroa, Volunteer Award
- Sam Morris, Young Award
- Hannah Morris, Network Leader Award
The fall term will end with commencement at ERAU, 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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