Aviation Safety Pioneer and Florida Senate President
Prescott, AZ., December 12, 2011
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will hold commencement ceremonies this month for graduates of its Daytona Beach, Prescott, and Worldwide campuses.
Dr. S. Harry Robertson, the “Father of the Crashworthy Fuel System,” a National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinee, and a longtime supporter of Embry-Riddle, will be the guest speaker at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott commencement ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Activity Center on campus. Graduating will be 128 Prescott students and 27 Worldwide students.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, president of the Florida Senate and backer of the state’s aerospace industry, will be the guest speaker at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach commencement ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Graduating will be 405 Daytona Beach students and one Worldwide student.
These graduating students will join Embry-Riddle’s 100,000-plus alumni—a milestone achieved by the 85-year-old university in May 2011. To celebrate becoming 100,000 Alumni Strong, the university has established an Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund so that alumni and friends can support the next generation of Embry-Riddle Eagles. For more information about this fund, visit www.eraualumni.org/100Kalumnistrong. The Alumni Association currently has 30 alumni chapters and groups, with concentrations of alumni at such industry leaders as Boeing, Sikorsky, and US Airways. The long list of Embry-Riddle’s distinguished alumni also includes six astronauts and several Air Force Thunderbird pilots.
PRESCOTT COMMENCEMENT
Guest speaker Dr. S. Harry Robertson is a pioneer in crash investigation and aerospace safety education, best known for his invention of an aircraft fuel system that doesn’t ignite in a crash. First used in the 1970s, his fuel system is now found on nearly every U.S. combat helicopter and has saved the lives of thousands of pilots
He was honored for his lifelong work in fuel and fire safety by his July 2011 enshrinement in the National Aviation Hall of Fame, which annually recognizes contributions that cover decades, span the globe, and substantially benefit aviation.
Dr. Robertson received an honorary degree from Embry-Riddle in 1972 and has maintained a close relationship with Embry-Riddle ever since. He served on the Board of Trustees for over 18 years and has helped fund student scholarships and expansion projects at the Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses.
Three buildings on the Prescott campus are named after Dr. Robertson—the David L. and S. Harry Robertson Flight Simulation Center and the Robertson Aviation Safety Center (RASC) I and II. His lifework in aviation safety research is preserved in the Aviation Safety and Security Archives housed in RASC II.
At the commencement ceremony Dr. Robertson will receive the university’s Eagle of Aviation Award for his significant contributions to aviation.
The following commencement-related activities will be held on Embry-Riddle’s Prescott campus at 3200 Willow Creek Road unless noted otherwise.
Friday, Dec. 16
Graduation Rehearsal and Photographs
9 a.m., Activity Center
Graduation Honors Luncheon
11:30 a.m., Student Union
This event is open to all graduates and their families (tickets required). Honor cords, honorary organization memberships, outstanding graduates, and other accomplishments will be recognized.
Air Force ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
2 p.m., Davis Learning Center
Five students will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force. Contact: (928) 777-3721.
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
4:30 p.m., Davis Learning Center
A reception will follow the ceremony. Contact: (928) 777-3870.
Senior Night Out – Rock N’ Bowl
9:30 p.m., Antelope Lanes Bowling Center, 6301 E. Second St., Prescott Valley
In celebration of becoming 100,000 Alumni Strong, Embry-Riddle’s Alumni Association invites all alumni, including the Class of 2011, to enjoy an evening of free bowling, pizza, hot wings, nachos, and beverages. For more information and to RSVP, contact (928) 777-4201 or pralumni@erau.edu.
Saturday, Dec. 17
Commencement Ceremony
10 a.m., Activity Center
Students should arrive by 9 a.m. for lineup. Commencement will include a master’s hooding ceremony and a Marine Corps ROTC commissioning ceremony. A reception in the Eagle gym will follow commencement.
More information on Prescott commencement activities can be found at http://prescott.erau.edu/graduation/prescott-graduation-information-fall-2011.html.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 40 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and through the Worldwide Campus with more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada and the Middle East. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit http://www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.
