Western's College of Aviation honors alumni, supporters with annual awards
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Aviators know the benefit of tailwinds, helping to guide the plane forward toward its destination. A number of people and organizations have acted in the same manner in support of Western Michigan University's College of Aviation, elevating student experiences and helping to propel the program to national prominence.
On Friday, Nov. 11, the College of Aviation will recognize some of these outstanding individuals, organizations and groups who have made a difference in the industry and in Western’s aviation program at its 13th annual recognition dinner.
Hall of Honor inductees include Robert Aardema, M.S.'85, associate professor emeritus of aviation; Tracey Kauppila, former College of Aviation executive assistant and Make a Difference Award winner; and the Michigan Business Aircraft Association and Michigan Business Aviation Foundation. Monique Grayson, B.S.'10, B.A.'10, a pilot for Delta Air Lines, will receive the College of Aviation's Excellence in Diversity Award.
"These awards represent the highest level of recognition issued by the College of Aviation," says Tom Thinnes, director of recruitment, marketing and outreach for the college as well as chair of the award selection committee. "Their contributions are indicative of people and organizations that understand what they do makes a difference. Not only are we proud of their accomplishments, we are forever grateful for their connection and engagement with our program. We would not be where we are without any of them."
The event will take place Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Aviation Education Center on the College of Aviation's Battle Creek campus. Current student scholarship winners and donors will also be recognized at the dinner. More information about the event is available online.
ABOUT THE HONOREES
Robert Aardema, Hall of Honor Class of 2022, first came to Western in the 1970s after serving a tour of duty as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He completed the aircraft technology program in 1977 and earned a master's degree in manufacturing administration in 1985. He served on Western's faculty from 1979 until 2002 when he was appointed interim dean of the College of Aviation. Aardema officially retired in 2007 and remains an associate professor emeritus of aviation. He also served as a pilot, instructor pilot and flight commander for the Michigan Air National Guard from 1976 until retiring in 1993 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Monique Grayson, 2022 Excellence in Diversity Award recipient, is currently a pilot for Delta Air Lines. A graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, she began her journey to the flight deck at Western's College of Aviation, where she graduated with bachelor's degrees in aviation flight science as well as Spanish in 2010. She says her involvement in the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) during college was instrumental in her development both personally and professionally. Grayson believes exposure, representation and financial support are pivotal in changing the numbers of underrepresented minorities in the industry. She says she believes it to be her duty to provide her shoulders for the next generation to stand upon. She actively supports the mission of organizations such as OBAP, Sisters of the Skies, Inc. and Women In Aviation as well as mentors Western students who aspire to follow in her footsteps.
Tracey Kauppila, Hall of Honor Class of 2022, came to Western as a compensation coordinator in 1995. She served as executive assistant to Dr. Fred Dobney, then provost and vice president for academic affairs, from 2000-04 before transitioning to executive assistant to the dean of the College of Aviation, where she served until February 2022. Kauppila received a campuswide Make a Difference Award in 2014, a certificate of appreciation from Western's chapter of OBAP in 2019 and the WMU Spirit Award that same year. She also served on a number of committees within the College of Aviation throughout her tenure and acted as a liaison to the college's registered student organizations.
The Michigan Business Aircraft Association (MBAA), Hall of Honor Class of 2022, has been a huge proponent of business aviation in the state of Michigan, with a mission to champion an environment that allows business aviation to thrive. The Michigan Business Aviation Foundation, formerly the West Michigan Business Aviation Association and Hall of Honor Class of 2022, is a component of the MBAA and supports the next generation of business aviation professionals through educational and scholarship funding. It has offered scholarships and opportunities to aspiring Bronco aviators and instructors since the early 1980s.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.