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Embry-Riddle's Jet Car Racing Team competes around the country. Click here to see when they will be in your area.
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Embry-Riddle's Professional Programs is hosting five-day Center for Aerospace Safety/Security CASE short-courses, which combine the latest in safety and aircraft accident investigation topics. Find out more.
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In this issue... June 2012
ALUMNI NEWS - Father and Son to Fly 'Lower 48' ... Graduates and Alumni Celebrate in Hawaii
UNIVERSITY NEWS - Students Achieve Top 10 Finishes at Air Race Classic... ERAU Teams Win at Unmanned Aircraft Competition... Alumnus Named University Associate VP... ERAU to Access Flight-Tracking Data for Research
ATHLETICS - Athletics Accepting Nominations for Hall of Fame Class... New Wrestling Coach to Oversee Prescott Program
IN THE NEWS
CLASS NOTES
IN MEMORIAM
CAREERS
Father and Son to Fly 'Lower 48'
 Six years after their first cross-country flight together in a home-built airplane, Chris Thelan (’11, PC) and his dad are eyeing an adventure across the 48 contiguous United States in their new Lockwood Aircam.
Chris, who built the Aircam while attending the Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus, began the flight challenge with his father, John Thelan, on April 19 from Prescott, Ariz. The pair touched down in 11 states as they made a three-day flight to Memphis, Tenn., where Chris plans to join FedEx Express air operations.
Chris' first project plane, a Vans RV-8A, was built several years ago with his father, a member of the Prescott Campus Board of Visitors. Chris says setting a goal kept him inspired through the building process. For the Vans RV-8A, the goal was to finish the plane in time to fly it to the 2006 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. Since he and his dad both enjoy traveling and flying on long trips, visiting “the lower 48” became the mission for the 1,000-pound Aircam. Read more.
Graduates and Alumni Celebrate in Hawaii
 “Mahalo,” the Hawaiian word for “thank you,” rang out warmly and often throughout the Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus graduation ceremony held June 16 in Hawaii. With 27 graduates walking across the commencement stage and a crowd of supportive family and friends in the audience, there was much to be thankful for on the island of Oahu.
Adding to the festive mood, graduates received leis—traditional Hawaiian garlands—from Worldwide Campus staff and faculty as they crossed the stage, followed by more leis with money and beads from family members.
The celebration began a day earlier, when the Alumni Association team and Hawaii Alumni Chapter leader Linda Weiland ('83, '93, '04, WW) hosted an alumni reception at the famous Gordon Biersch, Hawaii’s first brewpub. Networking opportunities and conversation flourished as 30 alumni, new graduates and Embry-Riddle representatives shared "pupus" (appetizers). Among the group, Paul Larish (’73, DB) revealed it was his first time to attend an alumni reception. Read more or see photos.
Students Achieve Top 10 Finishes at Air Race Classic
 Embry-Riddle earned two top 10 finishes and won best overall collegiate team after competing against more than 50 teams of women pilots this past week as part of the cross-country Air Race Classic.
The Daytona Beach Campus flight team – consisting of Marisha Falk (’08, ’10, DB) and student Danielle Erlichman – finished No. 1 in the collegiate category and second overall in the competition, while the Prescott Campus team of Kristine Anthony (’10, ’12, PC) and student Marlene Wessel finished third in collegiate and ninth overall. (In photo, left to right: Anthony, Wessel, Erlichman and Falk at the celebration banquet)
“This year’s race was an incredible experience, and it was great to see some of the amazing women I met in previous races,” said Falk, who participated in the race twice before in 2008 and 2009 and is now a flight training manager at the Daytona Beach Campus and driver of the Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster. “It was an honor to represent Embry-Riddle in such a prestigious event among some of the best women pilots in the world.” Read more.
ERAU Teams Win at Unmanned Aircraft Competition
 Three Embry-Riddle teams scooped up a handful of top awards at the 2012 Student Unmanned Air Systems (SUAS) competition held June 13-17 and collected $12,600 in prize money to fund new designs for unmanned aircraft. SUAS is sponsored by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
The university’s teams, two from the Daytona Beach Campus and a third from the Prescott Campus (pictured at left), were the largest contingent in the annual event, which drew 29 teams from the United States and international universities.
The annual competition challenges students to design and fly an aircraft for a mission requiring autonomous flight, navigation of a specified course and use of on-board cameras. Students also submit technical journal papers and perform oral presentations. Read more.
Alumnus Named University Associate VP
 Embry-Riddle is pleased to announce the selection of Rick D. Larsen (’78, ’79, DB) as the university’s associate vice president of Marketing, Corporate and Alumni Relations.
At Embry-Riddle, Larsen will develop strategies to broaden the involvement of the private sector with the university, maximizing mutual value through philanthropic support, collaborative research, student internships and recruitment. As a key element of that role, he will promote partnership opportunities for the developing Embry-Riddle Aerospace Research and Technology Park in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“Having spent 30 years in the aviation industry and being an Embry-Riddle alumnus provides a great foundation from which to develop mutually beneficial relationships with the aviation industry,” Larsen said. “Now that I’ve come full circle back to Embry-Riddle, I’m eager to apply my experience to my new role on the Institutional Advancement team." Read more.
ERAU to Access Flight-Tracking Data for Research
 Embry-Riddle and ITT Exelis have entered into a licensing agreement for Exelis to provide its real-time integrated Next Generation flight-tracking data for university academic research and analysis.
“The agreement with Exelis permits Embry-Riddle’s faculty, staff and students to evaluate, analyze and research air traffic control-quality surveillance in real-time,” said Steven Hampton, associate dean for research for the College of Aviation at the Daytona Beach Campus. “This level of unique access to Exelis NextGen surveillance information means that Embry-Riddle researchers can investigate a number of areas, including safety and efficiency, among other applications.”
Read more.
Athletics Accepting Nominations for Hall of Fame Class
 The Embry-Riddle Athletics Department at the Daytona Beach Campus is accepting nominations for 2012-2013 inductees to the Athletics Hall of Fame through Sept. 21.
Alumni are invited to nominate former student-athletes, coaches and distinguished supporters of the university’s athletics program that deserve consideration for the highest honor that the Athletics Department can bestow. Inductees will be announced during the week of Wings and Waves Alumni Homecoming in mid October, followed by a formal induction ceremony on Feb. 2, 2013. Details, categories, criteria and the nomination form can be found on the Athletics website.
New Wrestling Coach to Oversee Prescott Program
 K.C. Rock will be joining Embry-Riddle as the new head coach of the Eagle wrestling program at the Prescott Campus. Just the fifth head coach in the wrestling program's 24-year history, Rock plans to continue to grow upon its successes and strong tradition.
Rock brings a strong background in coaching, including 12 years at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I level. He spent the previous six years at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where he helped lead the Wolverines to their most successful season ever when they broke a school record for most wins in a season; the team finished 2008-2009 with an 11-3 record.
Prior to joining the staff at Utah Valley, Rock spent four seasons as an assistant at the University of Wyoming, and two seasons coaching at his alma mater, Boise State University. While at Boise State, Rock helped guide the Broncos to a Pac-10 Championship in 2002, and a 19th place finish at the NCAA Tournament, while guiding a 125-pound wrestler to All-American. He earned a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Boise State in 2000. He and his wife, Darelyn, have three children.
Richard Bloom, director of terrorism, espionage, and security studies at the Prescott Campus, was quoted by Securitymanagement.com. "Now We're Talking."
Bill Waldock, professor of safety and crash investigation at the Prescott Campus, was quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek. "Nigerian Deadliest Crash in Decades Dents Industry Image."
Kees Rietsema, department chair of Business Administration for the Worldwide Campus, was quoted by CNN.com. "Air Rage: Passengers Quicker to Snap."
Alan Bender, professor of aeronautics for the Worldwide Campus, was quoted in the San Jose Mercury News. "Whiskers and Wings: Asian Carrier's Hello Kitty Flights Offer Travelers a Fun-Filled Way of Reaching Their Destinations."
Richard Bloom, director of terrorism, espionage, and security studies at the Prescott Campus, was quoted by the Oakland Tribune. "Frequent Flying Through Security: Programs Enable Preapproved Fliers to Nix Hassle."
 Maj. Pete Reddan (’95, DB) a C-17 pilot at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina wrote a military ballad called "Off to War." Recently, a mutual friend connected the songwriter with Nashville producers and songwriters Dave McAfee and Greg Perkins, and the resulting collaboration was recorded by Nashville, Tenn. artist Brad Anderson. "Off To War" is a tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who regularly deploy into harm's way. To listen to the song, visit YouTube or search for Brad Anderson on iTunes.
Pascual Alvarez (’03, WW) was promoted in June from manager of airport services to director of administration for American Airlines at the Miami International Airport hub—the largest international gateway for American Airlines. “Not only am I excited and looking forward to the challenge, but I am extremely thankful for everything that Embry-Riddle has done for my career,” he said. “Without the principles, ethics, ambition and most certainly the tenacity that I gained in my years at Riddle, I would not be where I am today.”
 Brent Carter (’91, DB) recently published a revised edition of his book on leadership entitled, "Untamed Leadership: A Journey Through the Instincts That Shape Us." The book is a survey of behavioral instincts that shape how leaders behave in any environment. Carter, who specializes in the psychology and social dynamics of teams, began writing this book while providing leadership development consulting to the military and corporate institutions. In 2005, he started his consulting company, AspenRed Consulting. Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., the company focuses on creative and divergent-thinking practices. More information is available at untamedleader.com.
Debbie Martinez (’87, DB) was noted among the “Top Hispanics in Computer Science and Computer Engineering” in the spring 2012 issue of Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology. According to the article, Langley, a deputy project manager for the Flight Test Article Project at NASA’s Langley Research Center, has overseen staff and contractors working on the Orion spacecraft program.
 Michael Croley (’03, DB) is the new head coach for the Truett-McConnell College Bears baseball program in Cleveland, Ga. The former Embry-Riddle Eagle baseball player and assistant coach was most recently an assistant coach for Sun Conference member Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. Croley helped the Eagles advance to the Avista-NAIA World Series after capturing both the Florida Sun Conference and Region XIV championships in 2003.
David Eyerly II (’10, DB) and his brother, Wade Eyerly, co-founded Surf Air, a membership-based private air service that launched in April to provide cost effective luxury travel for frequent flyers. Initial flights will be offered between California cities including Palo Alto, Monterrey, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. Prior to Surf Air, David Eyerly, an instrument-rated commercial multi-engine-rated pilot, managed operations and customer relations for Frontier airlines at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. He was also previously a transportation security officer at Dallas Love Field airport with the Transportation Security Administration.
This month, we remember...
Former University Trustee Edward J. King Jr. (HonDoc ’90, DB)
Aug. 8, 1921 to June 3, 2012
James R. Petosa (’98, DB) July 18, 1962 to Oct. 11, 2011
William J. Navin Jr. (’74, DB) March 8, 1949 to Jan. 19, 2012
Retired Senior Master Sgt. William H. Bagwell (’97, WW)
Jan. 28, 1945 to Sept. 2011
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Principal Engineer, Stirling Dynamics, (Kirkland, Wash.)
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Flight Instructor, Birmingham Flight Center, (Birmingham, Ala.)
Thermal/Structural Analyst, QuEST Global Services, (Greenville, S.C.)
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