2008 Press Releases
University Aviation Association Elects Officers/Trustees for 2008-2009
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 – Dr. David M. Conway, director of the Aviation Sciences Institute at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU), recently assumed the University Aviation Association’s (UAA) top elected position as president for 2008-09. As one of his first official duties, President Conway announced the election of Dr. David A. NewMyer to a one-year term as president elect. Members elected to three-year terms on the Board of Trustees include: Dr. Kurt Barnhart and Dr. Randy Johnson as Educator trustees, and Mr. Chuck Robards as a Corporate trustee. Continued . . .
University Aviation Association Wheatley Award Presented to Dr. Robert Kaps
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 - The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its prestigious William A. Wheatley Award for 2008 to Dr. Robert Kaps, professor of Aviation Management at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The Wheatley Award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet on October 17 in Denver, Colorado, recognized Dr. Kaps for “outstanding contributions to aviation education.” The Award honors Professor Wheatley, an aviation education pioneer who established a strong relationship between airlines and educators that remains to this day. This award is presented annually to a professional educator who, for more than 10 years, has made outstanding contributions to aerospace education. Continued . . .
University Aviation Association Laursen Award Presented to Professor
Gary E. Odom
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 - The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its V. L. Laursen Award for 2008 to Professor Gary E. Odom, professional aviation department chair at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. The Laursen Award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet on October 17 in Denver, Colorado, recognized Professor Odom for teaching excellence in collegiate aviation education. The Award honors former Trans World Airline Captain Vern L. Laursen, a highly respected member of the airline industry whose expertise and knowledge are well known throughout the aviation community. Captain Laursen made significant contributions in the areas of flight training, equipment, and procedures. He is renowned for his technical and administrative abilities in evaluating flight simulator and visual system applications. Continued . . .
University Aviation Association Estridge Award Presented to Ms. Sherry K. Reese
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 - The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its W. W. Estridge Award for 2008 to Ms. Sherry K. Reese, manager, Airports and International Training Division at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The Estridge Award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet on October 17 in Denver, Colorado, recognized Ms. Reese for “a lifetime of dedicated service to aviation education.” The Award honors Captain W. W. Estridge, Jr., a former director of Flight Training at American Airlines, who flew and instructed on almost every airplane operated by American during his 31-year airline career. The Award, sponsored by Teachade.com & Pearce Industries, Inc., is presented to representatives of industry who have distinguished themselves as strong supporters of collegiate aviation education. Continued . . .
University Aviation Association Sorenson Award Presented to Dr. David NewMyer
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 - The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its 2008 Frank E. Sorenson Award to Dr. David NewMyer, department chair and professor, Aviation Management and Flight, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). The Sorenson Award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet on October 17 in Denver, Colorado, recognized Dr. NewMyer for “outstanding achievement of excellence in aviation research/scholarship.” The Award, sponsored by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is presented to professional educators who have made substantial scholarly contributions to the field of aviation, comparable to achievements of Dr. Frank E. Sorenson, a pioneer in the field of aviation education, a renowned educator, and a prolific writer. Dr. Sorenson wrote aviation education texts, served as a consultant and innovator, and was director of the University of Nebraska Aviation Education Research Group. Continued . . .
University Aviation Association Lauber Safety Award Presented to Professor
David Zwegers
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 - The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its 2008 John Lauber Safety Award to Professor David Zwegers of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach. The Lauber Safety Award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet on October 17 in Denver, Colorado, recognized Professor Zwegers for achievement that demonstrates clear advancement of aviation safety. The Award honors Dr. John K. Lauber, a pioneer in the field of aviation safety and human factors. Dr. Lauber was a two-term Member of the National Transportation Safety Board; vice president of Corporate Safety and Compliance at Delta Air Lines; and vice president of Training and Human Factors at Airbus Industries. Continued . . .
University Aviation Association President's Award Posthumously Presented to Professor Robert K. Mock
Auburn, Alabama, October 29, 2008 – The University Aviation Association (UAA) presented the 2008 President’s Award posthumously to Professor Robert K. Mock of Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSCD). Mrs. Gail Mock accepted the award honoring her husband at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet in Denver, Colorado, on October 17. Professor Mock was recognized for his “long-term commitment to UAA and collegiate aviation education.” Continued . . .