Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus Homecoming Line-Up Sure to Thrill
Prescott, AZ (PRWEB) September 09, 2013 -- A week filled with aerial performances, some of the world’s top female aviators and nonstop special events honoring Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus’ current students and distinguished alumni highlight this year’s OctoberWest Homecoming Events.
Headlining this year is Wings Out West Air Show, a free private air show for Embry-Riddle alumni, current students, faculty, staff and their guests. The celebration also includes hosting Women in Aviation, International (WAI) as they return to the campus where it all began, Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame inductions, athletic events and networking opportunities for alumni and current students.
But that’s only the beginning. There’s also the unveiling of the student-engineered and designed Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster, a 5K Veteran Run, an alumni golf tournament, and the highly anticipated inaugural Women’s Softball Team doubleheader and much more.
Below are some of the special events scheduled during OctoberWest 2013:
- Thursday, Oct. 3:
o A Career and Industry Expo connecting employers with some of the industry’s top leaders with Embry-Riddle graduates as well as with current students to explore co-op and internship opportunities (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Activity Center on campus).
o An eagleNIGHT Networking Event for alumni, faculty and staff to meet graduating seniors (6:30-9 p.m. at Hassayampa Inn with $10 fee).
- Friday, Oct. 4:
o The 24thh annual Alumni Golf Tournament at Talking Rock Ranch Golf Club (7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to include luncheon and awards). For registration and more information, go to prescott.erau.edu/octoberwest.
o WAI members will attend presentations with WASP Pilot Betty Blake, former FAA Deputy Administrator Barbara Barrett, and Prescott Campus Chancellor Dr. Frank Ayers. Throughout the weekend, members will also tour the campus’ Flight Line, simulators and more. Members wanting to attend, must register at http://www.wai.org.
o Alumni Awards Dinner to include ring ceremony for National Champion NIFA-SAFECON Golden Eagles Flight Team, an Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster alumni reunion, recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Women in Aviation Conference and induction of new members to Prescott Chancellor’s Alumni Hall of Fame (6:30 to 8 p.m. in Jack R. Hunt Student Union. Cost to attend: $25).
o The Eagles volleyball team hosts the Bobcats of the University of California-Merced in a CALPAC matchup at 3 p.m. in the ERAU Activity Center.
o Wings Out West Air Show forum/panel for campus community and WAI visitors with performers Matt Chapman, Melissa Pemberton and Julie Clark will discuss life as aerial aviators (1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Distance Learning Center).
- Saturday, Oct. 5
o Wings Out West Air Show takes to the skies as part complimentary private air show just for the Embry-Riddle community and guests from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Flight Line at Love Field Municipal Airport. It will include a meet-and-greet with the performers afterward in the hangar.
Featured performers are:
- Matt Chapman – Sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an airline pilot when not performing, Chapman began flying aerobatics in 1984 and quickly worked his way up to the highest level of competition aerobatics – the Unlimited category. At the 1998 World Aerobatic Championships, Chapman was the highest-ranking American pilot, finishing third in the world with a bronze medal and leading the Men’s Team to a silver medal. He recently performed at Air Venture’s Oshkosh Air Show in July (official website mattchapman.com).
- Julie Clark – With more than 32 years of solo aerobatic air show flying and 31,000 accident-free hours in the air, Clark pilots her Smokin Mentor T-34 throughout North America with a patriotic presentation. She’s a retired Northwest Airlines Captain who is inducted into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame of Women in Aviation, International and is one of the select few named to the Living Legends of Aviation among other numerous honors (official website julieclarkairshows.com).
- Melissa Pemberton – Known for her high-performance aerobatic display in the Edge 540, Pemberton also has mastered wingsuit skydiving, flag jumps and more. Citing coaching from the likes of Wayne Handley and Michael Goulian, Pemberton was named as the youngest female ever to the 2006-2007 U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic team and was a member of Stars of Tomorrow (official website http://www.sportsgal.com).
o The Embry-Riddle Jet Dragster engineered and designed completely by Embry-Riddle Prescott’s Jet Dragster Club and maintained and owned by Larsen Motorsports will be started up by co-owner/driver Elaine Larsen to kick off the Wings Out West Air Show.
o The Lady Eagles Softball team will host a doubleheader inaugural exhibition event starting at 2 p.m. vs. AZ Christian University, followed by a 3:45 p.m. match-up with Yavapai Community College at the ERAU softball field.
o The Eagles Women’s Volleyball team returns but this time to take on alumni at 3 p.m. in the Activity Center.
o Also, American Aero Derby Glider, Blue Gold Bash and Fireworks
For more information about OctoberWest 2013, visit prescott.erau.edu/octoberwest.
About Women in Aviation
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. Its 9,000+ membership includes astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers and many others. WAI provides year-round resources to assist women in aviation and to encourage young women to consider aviation as a career. WAI also offers educational outreach programs to educators, aviation industry members and young people nationally and internationally. In addition, WAI promotes public understanding of the accomplishments and contributions of women in aviation. This includes historic notables such as Amelia Earhart, Bessie Coleman, Eileen Collins, Jeana Yeager, Nicole Malachowski and many others. For more information, visit the official website at http://www.wai.org.
About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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 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 http://www.facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.
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Media Contact
Melanie Hanns
Director, University Communications
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Office: (386) 226-7538
melanie.hanns(at)erau(dot)edu
http://www.embryriddle.edu
Melanie Hanns, Director of University Communications, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, http://www.erau.edu/, 386-226-7538, [email protected]
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