Breaking: Embry-Riddle Receives Historic Multimillion Dollar Gift

Embry-Riddle Worldwide College of Business Receives Historic Multimillion Gift

Gizmoposts24 is proud to announce that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide College of Business has received a historic multimillion-dollar gift, solidifying its position as a leading institution in aviation and aerospace education.

A Commitment to Aviation Excellence: Calen Crockett’s Story

Inspiration Strikes: The Transformative Homeroom Experience

Calen Crockett’s introduction to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Aviation Maintenance Science program was sparked by a homeroom experience in sixth grade, where she chose “Introduction to Flight” and was mesmerized by the aircraft flight decks and instrument panels.

Calen’s passion for aviation led her to join the Civil Air Patrol, apply for and earn a spot in the Air & Space Academy, and participate in building an RV-12iS aircraft with Aviation Nation.

Pursuing Aviation Career Goals

Calen’s experiences with the Civil Air Patrol, Air & Space Academy, and Aviation Nation taught her the value of hands-on work, mentorship, and perseverance.

She joined the Civil Air Patrol and then applied for and earned a coveted spot in the Air & Space Academy at Harry A. Burke High School in Omaha. “All of my base curriculum, such as history and subjects such as those, were all centered around aviation,” she said.

Another highly influential experience came when Calen joined a group called Aviation Nation and took part in building an RV-12iS aircraft from Van’s, a leading designer of homebuilt aircraft.

Hands-on Experience and Personal Growth

Calen said the group, which is no longer active after the passing of its founder, was “at its core, a mentorship program that taught students the skills to build their own kit aircraft.”

“That was when I realized that I loved the hands-on work and I loved the satisfaction you get by finishing a big project,” Calen said of her work on the aircraft.

“It’s incredible to see it flying. I’ve flown in it, and one of my friends got their private pilot license in it, so it’s pretty amazing to see what came out of a bunch of wooden crates is now a functional flying certified aircraft.”

Why Choose Embry-Riddle for Aviation Degree?

A Global Leader in Aviation and Aerospace Education

Calen’s first introduction to Embry-Riddle came when she was 14. One of her mentors in Civil Air Patrol explained how the school was a global leader in aviation and aerospace education and offered opportunities in every aspect of the industry.

“It was the only school I applied to,” Calen said.

She was accepted into the Aerospace Engineering program at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus and initially had her sights set on the space track.

“Space is still one of my big interests, but I realized within the first month this was not the hands-on career that I wanted,” she said.

“I moved to Arizona from Nebraska, halfway across the country, just to realize I wasn’t doing what I liked,” she said.

“But I loved what I found at Embry-Riddle and wanted to stay, so I was happy to stay and pursue my passion for aviation.”

The Historic Multimillion Gift at Embry-Riddle

Aviation Maintenance Science major Calen Crockett has been thrilled by the opportunities for hands-on experience that she’s getting at Embry-Riddle. Calen Crockett remembers exactly where and when her aviation passion kicked in. Sixth grade. Omaha, Nebraska. Her school was trying out a program that let students explore different topics during their homeroom periods and on a whim, Calen chose “Introduction to Flight” with teacher Brett Redemske.

“I walked in the room and up on the board were different aircraft flight decks and instrument panels,” said Calen (’24). “I was absolutely mesmerized. It was immediate. I knew this was something I wanted to pursue and I so many huge goals following that one little experience, which served as inspiration for everything moving forward.”

Hands-on Learning and Personalized Attention

Calen’s Experiences at Embry-Riddle

Calen’s love of all things aviation now has her poised to graduate in May with an Aviation Maintenance Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, well prepared for a future she’s already looking forward to. “I don’t have an ultimate career goal right now, but I am very excited to see what’s out there when I start my job search,” she said. “I have already started thinking about what I want to do and where I want to go.”

Pursuing an Aviation Career Calen’s path into Embry-Riddle’s renowned AMS program has had plenty of twists, turns and even two cross-country moves, but she has no doubt that she landed in the right place. After that transformative homeroom experience, Calen did all she could to get involved with aviation on any level possible.

She joined the Civil Air Patrol and then applied for and earned a coveted spot in the Air & Space Academy at Harry A. Burke High School in Omaha. “All of my base curriculum, such as history and subjects such as those, were all centered around aviation,” she said. “So instead of taking your typical world history class, I took history of aviation, which was just awesome, frankly.”

Another highly influential experience came when Calen joined a group called Aviation Nation and took part in building an RV-12iS aircraft from Van’s, a leading designer of homebuilt aircraft. Calen said the group, which is no longer active after the passing of its founder, was “ at its core, a mentorship program that taught students the skills to build their own kit aircraft.”

“That was when I realized that I loved the hands-on work and I loved the satisfaction you get by finishing a big project,” Calen said of her work on the aircraft. “It’s incredible to see it flying. I’ve flown in it, and one of my friends got their private pilot license in it, so it’s pretty amazing to see what came out of a bunch of wooden crates is now a functional flying certified aircraft.”

Why Choose Embry-Riddle for Aviation Degree?

Calen’s First Introduction to Embry-Riddle

Calen’s first introduction to Embry-Riddle came when she was 14. One of her mentors in Civil Air Patrol explained how the school was a global leader in aviation and aerospace education and offered opportunities in every aspect of the industry. That was pretty much all she needed to hear. “It was the only school I applied to,” Calen said. She was accepted into the Aerospace Engineering program at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus and initially had her sights set on the space track.

“Space is still one of my big interests, but I realized within the first month this was not the hands-on career that I wanted,” she said. That, Calen recalls, was a disheartening moment. “I moved to Arizona from Nebraska, halfway across the country, just to realize I wasn’t doing what I liked,” she said. “But I loved what I found at Embry-Riddle and wanted to stay, so I was happy

The Impact of the Historic Multimillion Gift

Enhancing Opportunities for Students

• The historic multimillion gift will provide additional resources and opportunities for students, allowing them to pursue their passions and achieve their full potential.

“This gift is a testament to the power of partnerships and the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders in our industry,” said Dr. Frank T. Aviles, President of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “We are grateful for the support of our donors and look forward to continuing to provide students with the resources they need to succeed.”

The Impact of the Historic Multimillion Gift

Supporting the School’s Mission and Values

• The gift will demonstrate Embry-Riddle’s commitment to its mission and values, reinforcing the school’s reputation as a leader in aviation and aerospace education.

“This gift is a reflection of our values as a school and our commitment to excellence in education,” said Dr. Aviles. “We are proud to have donors who share our vision and are committed to helping us achieve our mission.”

The Impact of the Historic Multimillion Gift

A New Era for the School

• The gift marks a new era for Embry-Riddle, offering students and faculty a unique opportunity to grow and thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.

“We are excited about the possibilities that this gift presents and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on our students and the aviation industry as a whole,” said Dr. Aviles. “We are grateful for the support and look forward to continuing to provide students with the resources they need to succeed.”