Aviation Sciences Banquet Honors Outstanding Students

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Contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321
WACO, Texas (April 11, 2016) – The Baylor Institute for Air Science hosted its Seventh Annual Aviation Science Spring Banquet on Friday, April 8.
The guest speaker for the event was Michael Cole, a Baylor graduate who works as director of financial planning and analysis for Southwest Airlines. He spoke about how his education and experiences at Baylor have helped him in his career.
The event is meant to recognize the accomplishments of the program's students as they work to become aviation professionals.
Flight jackets were awarded to students who completed significant milestones in their degree program – for example, professional pilot students who earned their private pilot’s license. The banquet also recognized the seniors graduating in May. Industry partners who provided internships to aviation students over the past year were also acknowledged at the event.
"The banquet is important for students because it is an opportunity to recognize them for their hard work in the program and also to connect with the larger community of Baylor graduates, as we encourage alumni of the program to attend as well," said William "Trey" Cade III, the director for the Institute of Air Science.
The program began in 1991 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Currently, the aviation science program has its highest enrollment in more than 10 years.
"In the five years I’ve been here I have seen tremendous growth, not only in numbers but also in the number of options for our students," said Cade. "In the past few years we have added Aircraft Dispatch and Air Traffic Control concentrations to the Aviation Sciences major in addition to the existing Professional Pilot concentration, added a secondary major and a minor in Aviation Sciences, and added a new major, Aviation Administration, in partnership with Baylor’s Business School. With the increased flexibility of student choices, and the increasing demand for aviation professionals, we anticipate continued growth of the program."
by Jenna Press, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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