The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust has pledged $2 Million to help fund construction of the Aviation Maintenance Science building at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

"The main purpose of The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust is to support general aviation," said George Weaver, co-trustee of the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust. "Emil Buehler dedicated his life to making aviation go farther and faster. We hope this gift will help as many people as possible learn to fly and develop an interest in general aviation."

"The new Emil Buehler Aviation Maintenance Science building will advance Embry-Riddle's mission to provide students with the best aviation-related training and technology available anywhere," said Dr. John P. Johnson, Embry-Riddle president. "Once complete, the Buehler Aviation Maintenance Science building will be the finest aviation maintenance training facility in the nation."

Designed to help train the next generation of maintenance technicians and managers, the facility will house a series of cutting-edge labs dedicated to aircraft systems, turbine engines, metallic and composite materials, avionics and avionics electronics. The facility will also include classrooms, a licensed engine repair station, a machine shop, offices, and a 3rd floor observation deck overlooking the Daytona Beach Airport runways.

The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's $2 million pledge represents almost one-half of the $4.5 million in private contributions committed to Phase II of the James Hagedorn Aviation Complex, which will also include a new flight maintenance hangar and flight operations center to be built concurrently with the Emil Buehler Aviation Maintenance Science building.

"Thanks to the generosity and vision of the Buehler Trust, Embry-Riddle will continue to address the industry's pressing need for capable maintenance professionals," Dr. Johnson said.

The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust was established in 1984 in memory of Emil Buehler, an aviator and aviation visionary, as well as an architect and engineer. Emil Buehler's belief that the majesty and mystery of flight was a vision to be shared continues to drive the philanthropic involvement of the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust today.

ABET Inc., the national accrediting agency for engineering education, has honored the College of Engineering and the Office of Diversity Initiatives at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus with one of its four national 2008 ABET President's Awards for Diversity.

Embry-Riddle was honored for its initiatives to attract and retain a cross section of students, especially females, to its degree programs in engineering, a field that is still predominately male, both at the university and nationwide.

"This national honor reflects positively on our university," said John P. Johnson, president of Embry-Riddle. "I am very proud of our Office of Diversity Initiatives and College of Engineering for their successful efforts to increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities in the college."

Over 1,200 alumni are members on this fast-growing group! Be sure you're one of them! It's an open group for all Embry-Riddle alumni and Facebook members to join and share messages with others. Let us know what you're up to, create networking opportunities, find old classmates and just let us know what you think-about anything! Find this Group by searching for "ERAU Alumni" at www.Facebook.com.

Check out the festivities from Daytona Beach, Florida.

Embry-Riddle Army ROTC dominated the State of Arizona Ranger Challenge Competition, taking first place in all three competitive categories (male, female and co-ed).

The Ranger Challenge competition includes eight events that stress physical, mental, and leadership skills for individuals and teams. Events include day and night land navigation, M16A2 rifle assembly and disassembly, first-aid obstacle course, hand grenade assault course, a written test, the Army Physical Fitness Test, and a 10km road march with full combat load.

ERAU Army ROTC hosted the competition. Other schools attending were North Arizona University, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona.

With the launch of its first annual Charles Taylor Commemorative Aviation Festival, the Charles Taylor Department of Aviation Maintenance Science (AMS) celebrated the birth of flight by hosting a demonstration of the replica Wright Flyer engine, built by Terry Hesler, owner of Hesler Machine Tool in Dayton, Ohio.

In addition to the replica Wright Flyer engine demonstration, students were able to fly a Wright Flyer simulator built by the AMS department (pictured) and see a wide range of other aviation exhibits, including a Wright wind tunnel built by Department Chair Fred Mirgle; a Velie engine from a Monocoupe aircraft purchased by Embry-Riddle in 1929 and restored by the AMS engine repair station; a Piper Cherokee airplane used by Embry-Riddle in the 1980s as a trainer; a powered parachute; a Schweitzer 300 helicopter displayed by Bristow Academy; and an early hang glider.

Maureen Daly, wife of former Embry-Riddle Provost and Executive Vice President

---