Lift - Spring 2012 - (Page 12)

Embry-riddlE rEsEarch and dEvElopmEnt ignitE knowlEdgE discovEry By S aR a W Ith RoW Embry-Riddle President and CEO John Johnson cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the remodeled FAA NextGen Florida Test Bed in November. Pictured, left to right, are: U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), Vice Chairman of the Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees Mori Hosseini, U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.), Johnson, U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) and former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Editor’s NotE—This section highlights advancements in innovation in which Embry-Riddle students, faculty and alumni are involved. We encourage you to join the EaglesNEST and visit the alumni (www.eraualumni.org) and university (www.erau.edu) websites regularly to stay abreast of ongoing and future research and development news. Growing its research and development (R&D) efforts and support is a primary objective for Embry-Riddle, and for good reason. “Knowledge discovery is inherently part of what we are as an academic institution,” says John Johnson, university president and CEO. “We want to be the place the aerospace industry turns to, to solve real-world problems.” Graduate and undergraduate students are working alongside faculty and researchers, and with industry and government partners to develop new biofuels, green vehicles and aircraft, advanced propulsion systems, renewable energy sources and unmanned autonomous systems, to name a few. “The modern view of research is more innovative, creative, handson and industry-oriented,” says Christina Frederick-Recascino, senior executive vice president for academics and research at Embry-Riddle. “It’s different from the traditional ivory tower and formulas on a blackboard— and it’s something unique to Embry-Riddle.” More than $15 million was invested at EmbryRiddle in R&D in 2011–12, with private industry and government contributing approximately 70 percent of this sum. In contrast to the $7.1 million allocated five years ago to R&D, this represents sizable growth, Johnson says. Additionally, the university now boasts two doctoral degree programs, Aviation Science and Engineering Physics, and plans to add more in the future. It also leads the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen Test Bed in Florida (page 16) and the Center for General Aviation Research consortium. The university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a component of Embry-Riddle’s reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, also includes a research focus. A five-year project associated with the QEP launch in January, “Ignite, Create, Research, Change,” will transform knowledge discovery at the university, Johnson says. The plan calls for incorporating research into all levels of curricula and will provide support for faculty, student and staff research initiatives. Another step toward growing the university’s investment in R&D is the Embry-Riddle Aerospace Research and Technology Park, slated for 90 acres just southeast of the Daytona Beach Campus. The research and technology park has been on the radar since at least 2005. According to Johnson, approximately $2 million has already been invested. Gov. Rick Scott included $4.5 million in his proposed 2012–13 budget to assist with its development. “When completely built out, the park will accommodate more than 600,000 square feet of research, laboratory and office space, and bring 2,000 jobs to the region with salaries averaging $45,000,” FrederickRecascino says. She envisions students working as interns; faculty providing subject matter expertise and becoming research partners; and students transitioning to become research park employees. Photo by Ruuben Becker innovation inspiration Teaching and research are equal in terms of a university. You can’t stop learning. There are too many things you should want to find out to make the next generation stronger, healthier and happier. — J o h n J o h n s o n , E m b rY- r i d d l E P r E s i d E n T a n d C Eo 12 LIFT SPRING 2012 www.ERAUALUmnI.oRg http://www.eraualumni.org http://www.erau.edu http://WWW.ERAUALUMNI.ORG

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Lift - Spring 2012

Lift - Spring 2012
Contents
Letter from the President
Chatter
Boundless
Wings of Legacy
Flight Path
Home on the Range
Emphasis: Innovation
Giving to Embry-Riddle
Alumni in Action
Alumni News
Class Notes

Lift - Spring 2012