When it comes to aviation education and research, Embry-Riddle is used to making history.

With its recent approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Embry-Riddle is launching its first two Ph.D. degree programs - in Aviation and Engineering Physics.

"This is a great moment in the history of Embry-Riddle," says President John Johnson. "These programs represent a new era in applied research leadership for our university."

The Ph.D. in Aviation is the only one in the United States.

Designed for working professionals who seek to enhance their contribution to the aviation and aerospace organizations that employ them, the Ph.D. in Aviation program combines advanced analytical and research tools with a broad understanding of the issues affecting the aviation industry. Read more.

Find out more about these new doctoral programs.

The Industry/Career Expo will be hosted on both the Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses during OctoberWest and Homecoming weekends. Alumni are invited to represent their company as an exhibitor to find qualified candidates for open positions, as well as seek employment opportunities for themselves.

Prescott Industry/Career Expo
October 1, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Activity Center, Prescott Campus

Daytona Beach Industry/Career Expos
November 4, 2009
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

November 5, 2009
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
ICI Center, Daytona Beach Campus

Get more information about the Expos.

Do You Have What it Takes?

Are you interested in getting involved with your Alumni Association on a greater level? Nominate yourself or others to be a part of the newly created Alumni Advisory Council by July 31, 2009. This Council will be made up of alumni volunteers who are interested in benefiting and supporting the University and Association. Council members will be selected by September 2009 and will serve a two-year term.

Please read the full mission of the Advisory Council and the complete by-laws before applying.

To nominate an alumnus (or yourself), complete the nomination form and submit it to Michele Berg by July 31, 2009.

Two Embry-Riddle flight teams turned in impressive performances in the 33rd annual women's Air Race Classic, a 2,400-mile race that began June 23 in Denver, Colo., and ended June 26 in Atlantic, Iowa, including stops at airports in several cities throughout the central United States.

Out of a field of 32 teams, the team from Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus (pictured at top) was the highest-scoring first-time team, took second place in the collegiate division, and came in sixth overall. The team was composed of pilots Kim Turrell and Jenna Albrecht, alternate pilots Alice Usher and Kristen McTee, and weather adviser Laura King.

The team from Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus finished third in the collegiate division and 10th overall. Pilots Marisha Falk and Hannah Northern, alternate pilot Erica Larsen, team coach Carolina Lenz-Anderson, and weather adviser Debbie Schaum constituted the team. Read more.

When Aaron Jelinek ('01, PC) graduated from Clarkston High School in 1997, all he wanted to do was fly fighter jets for a living.

That's a bit like saying you want to be a rock star, though: There's no shortage of competition. When it comes to strapping on a rocket and roaring down the runway, hundreds of hopefuls never make the cut.

But Jelinek, a former basketball and track and field star for the Bantams, charted a path and achieved his goal in 2003, when the U.S. Air Force selected him to fly F-16s.

Now he's taking his dream one step further. The 29-year-old captain was recently named one of six pilots on the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team. After four months of training at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas this fall, he'll join the team for its next two air show seasons.

Read the full article from The Lewiston Morning Tribune.

Six former Embry-Riddle Eagles baseball players are keeping their dreams alive of making it to the top level of professional baseball. Three athletes are playing in the minor leagues, while the other two are participating in Canada's premier collegiate summer league.

Patrick Ryan, Shawn Williams and Steve Otterness are all playing in the minor leagues. Ryan is currently playing for the Western Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, a double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Williams and Otterness are both at the single A level, playing for the Charlotte Stone Crabs (Tampa Rays) and the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds), respectively.

Both Kyle Albright and Chris Maloney are playing for the Swiftcurrent Indians in the Western Major Baseball League (Saskatchewan, Canada). Albright is leading the team in hits (25), home runs (5), RBI (18) and total bases (48). Maloney has a record of 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA, having pitched 17.0 innings with 14 strikeouts. Read more about these players.

In addition, Pat McCrory ('09, DB), pictured above, received an opportunity to extend his baseball career as he recently signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Read more about McCrory.

New Masters Degree Program Offered at Los Angeles Campus

The Los Angeles and Palmdale Worldwide Campuses are currently seeking students for their new Masters of Science in Technical Management degree program. Classes will begin August 10, 2009, and are scheduled for every two weeks on Friday afternoon and all-day Saturday. This program is structured for students to successfully achieve their degree in two years. Find out more about this program.

For more information, contact Col. Leo M. Terrill (USAF Retired), Director of Academic Support, or Dr. Patrick Ross, Director of Academics, at the LA Campus at (562)-627-5870.

OctoberWest and Homecoming are just around the corner!

Mark your calendars to reunite with alumni this fall! OctoberWest will be hosted on the Prescott Campus from Oct. 1-4. Homecoming Weekend will be on the Daytona Beach Campus from Nov. 5-7.

Go to www.ERAUalumni.org/homecoming09 for the schedules of events and to register to attend.

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