Lift - Spring 2012 - (Page 2)

Letter from the President What can we give our world that would make it a better place? I would offer that the best gift is knowledge— the collective knowledge of our generation. This issue of Lift focuses on knowledge discovery— the research and development activities in which EmbryRiddle’s faculty, students and alumni are engaged. These activities stand to change the world as we know it, for the better. Take, for example, the Federal Aviation Administration’s newly remodeled Florida NextGen Test Bed in Daytona Beach. Embry-Riddle is partnering with 10 different companies, the FAA and other agencies to shape the future of our national airspace at this state-of-the-art facility— and alumni Wade Lester (’01, WW) and Jon Standley (’09, DB) are leading the way (page 16). We expect collaborations like those at the NextGen Test Bed will grow, as we continue to develop the Embry-Riddle Aerospace Research and Technology Park (page 12). The stewardship of our environment through advancements in green technology is also an important objective. The Eco Eagle, the first-ever hybrid gaselectric aircraft, is an example of the type of work being done in this area (page 5). Embry-Riddle is also partnering with Galapagos National Park and the University of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador, to create a low-cost unmanned aerial surveillance system that would help protect the islands’ natural resources, while also gathering data about rare animal and bird behaviors (page 17). At our Prescott Campus, faculty and student researchers in the Space Physics department are making new discoveries in the study of supernovae explosions, and are working to improve instruments that advance understanding of our universe (page 17). Additionally, multidisciplinary student teams have been challenged through the E-Prize program at Prescott to develop innovative products capable of competing at a national level (page 15). A project that I am particularly proud of combines the elements of what I like to call the “three-legged stool” philosophy for our university: teaching, research and service to others. The project, which was a combined student and faculty effort, provided a solar-powered water purification system to an orphanage and community in rural Haiti. The system is now providing 1,200 gallons of clean drinking water daily to 600 orphans and members of a neighboring village (page 14). Instilled with the Embry-Riddle passion to seek and find answers, our alumni often take the lead in knowledge-discovery projects in their respective fields. For instance, Sean Jodoin (’97 DB) is building and manag, ing the supply chain for the world’s first commercial spaceliner (page 8); Col. Ron Garan (’94, WW) recently returned from a research-laden six-month tour aboard the International Space Station (page 13); and a trio of Prescott Campus graduates is directing the redesign of communication and maintenance processes of our nation’s Launch and Test Range System. The system ensures the safe and efficient deployment of everything from satellites to ballistic missiles (page 10). At Embry-Riddle, we focus our time and energy on applied research that solves some of the most challenging problems facing the industries we support, and that improves our world. Stay tuned to your alma mater as we continue to discover knowledge and share it with others. Warmest regards, John P. Johnson, Ph.D. President and CEO Lift, the alumni magazine of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is published twice annually (spring and fall) • Copyright © 2012 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida/Arizona/Worldwide. • 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 • Volume 8, No. 1 • All rights reserved. Vice President, Institutional Advancement: Dan Montplaisir • Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations: Michéle Berg • Editor: Sara Withrow • Communications Specialist: Kelly Cuculiansky Pratt • Director of Alumni Relations, Prescott: Bill Thompson (’87, PC) Associate Director, Daytona Beach: Edmund Odartey (’04, ’10, DB) • Associate Director—Outreach: Keith Deaton (’05, DB) • Archivist: Kevin Montgomery • Administrative Assistant: Carla Messier Published by McMurry • Managing Editor: Shelley Flannery • Design Director: Marc Oxborrow • Production Manager: Tanya Clark • Production Technology Specialist: Julie Chan • Account Manager: Paul Peterson Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap, veteran’s status or sexual orientation. Nonprofit identification: 59-0936101. 2 LIFT SPRING 2012 www.ERAUALUmnI.oRg 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