Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Orlando, FL, Oct. 19, 2014 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), through NBAA Charities, offers a wide range of scholarships that support young people seeking careers in business aviation. This week at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014), students will be recognized for receiving the following awards: UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship, Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship, William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship, Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship, NORDAM Dee Howard/Eitenne Fage Scholarship and the new Eddie Queen Aviation Management Scholarship.
The recipients will be recognized at a press conference on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. in the Orange County Convention Center, Room N220B.
UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship
The UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship is named for the founder of Aviation Personnel International, who has been active in the aviation community for decades and has served many times as the local committee chair of NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. The following five college students studying aviation-related curricula at NBAA and University Aviation Association (UAA) Member institutions have been selected to receive this year’s Barden scholarship:
Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship
The Conklin Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Al Conklin, a U.S. Air Force veteran, business aviation leader and member of NBAA’s Operations Committee for many years.
This year’s recipient is Kyle Budewitz, a senior at Lewis University majoring in aviation flight management with a minor in business administration. He has a private pilot license with an instrument rating and is working on his commercial license. He has worked as a line service technician at Dodge County Airport in Wisconsin. As a member of the Lewis University Flight Team, Budewitz competed in the 2014 National SAFECOM, where the team finished 10th nationally. He placed ninth individually out of 135 competitors in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship
The Fanning Scholarship recognizes individuals who are studying to enter the field of business aviation maintenance. The scholarship is named in honor of retired NBAA staff member William M. Fanning, who was active in maintenance issues during his nearly 20-year tenure at the Association.
This year’s recipients are:
Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship
The Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA Charities, and the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio, to honor his outstanding personal contribution to business aviation. Recipients should possess a passion for aviation and should have utilized their interest or involvement in business aviation to enhance the lives of others. This year, the following students received this award:
NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship
The NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship was created by NBAA Charities and NORDAM to honor the lifetime achievements of two aerospace engineering pioneers, Dee Howard and Etienne Fage.
This year’s recipient is Ciara Thompson, a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ, where she is studying aerospace engineering. Thompson learned about business aviation as a teenager in Ghana, where she saw its direct benefits to the livelihood of the community. She has been a member of the Society of Women Engineers since 2011, and in that time she has held almost every title available; currently serving as president. Thompson has been on the dean’s list every year since 2011, and during the 2012-13 school year, she was awarded the Best Female Student of the College of Engineering award. Throughout her studies, she has worked on several engineering projects with the Society of Women Engineers, and she is currently conducting research on computational fluid dynamics. Thompson wants to expand aviation through businesses in developing countries to give students and communities in those countries the same opportunities that she has.
Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management Scholarship
Along with Signature Flight Support, NBAA Charities created the Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management scholarship to honor the memory of Eddie Queen, a Signature Flight Support line service technician for 58 years. His dedication and commitment were an inspiration to all who benefitted from his service. Applicants must show a passion for aviation and demonstrate superior customer service skills, as Eddie Queen did.
This year’s recipient is Aaron Lenkersdorfer, a sophomore at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He has a 4.0 grade point average, and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration. Upon graduation, Lenkersdorfer plans to become a U.S. Army aviation officer. He is a dispatcher at the Utah Valley University College of Aviation and Public Services, and a soldier in the Utah Army National Guard with the 211 Aviation Regiment. He is also an Eagle Scout and member of the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Lenkersdorfer has served as a volunteer in Russia and Belarus and is fluent in Russian.
To learn more about the numerous scholarship opportunities offered by NBAA Charities, contact Jay Evans, director, professional development, at (202) 783-9353 or jevans@nbaa.org, or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.
For complete coverage of NBAA2014, visit the NBAA2014 Online News Bureau.
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
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