Alumni and Friends Celebrate at Annual Oshkosh Event

The weather was overcast and rainy but the spirits were high as some 100 alumni attended the Alumni Association Luncheon on Thursday, July 30, at Airventure Oshkosh 2009 in Oshkosh, Wis. It was held in a new location this year, the Nature Center Pavilion, which allowed for shelter from the day’s weather.

Alumni Relations Executive Director, Michele Berg, emceed the event by beginning festivities with an introduction for President Johnson. Dr. Johnson spoke briefly about current events at the university and announced the new Ph.D. programs in Aviation and Engineering Physics, as well as the addition of a High-Altitude Normobaric Laboratory built on the Daytona Beach campus.

Dr. Johnson then introduced the keynote speaker for the event, Jack Pelton, CEO and President of Cessna Aircraft Company. Mr. Pelton gave a candid speech on the state of the aviation industry and said that Cessna understands the importance of general aviation and supports those affected by changes in rights and regulations. He will be going to Washington, D.C. to champion all the great things general aviation does for the economy and beyond. 

Later, Michele Berg presented the Eagle of Excellence Award to Michael Gomm (’96, DB), Wichita Alumni Chapter president, for his continuing support of the Alumni Association. Mr. Gomm is a fleet sales manager at Cessna Aircraft Company.

A raffle was also held during the luncheon with prizes from several Alumni Association merchant partners. Pictured above from left to right: Alfred Cappurccini ('85 and '86, DB) won a pair of VedaloHD sunglasses, Kandi Spangler ('99, DB) won a Brightline flight bag and Ron Fischer ('82, DB) won a Zulu headset, which was presented by David Gustafson ('90, PC) of Lightspeed Aviation.

View Photo Album from the Oshkosh Alumni Luncheon here.