Duncan Aviation gift establishes first endowed professorship in WMU College of Aviation
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A longtime industry partner and supporter of Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation is making a transformational investment in the future of aviation education.
Duncan Aviation, the world’s largest privately owned business jet service provider, has established the J. Robert Duncan Endowed Professorship of Technical Operations, the first endowed professorship in the college’s history. The gift, announced today in conjunction with WMU’s Giving Day, reflects the company’s enduring commitment to developing the next generation of aviation professionals.
“Duncan Aviation is thrilled to collaborate with Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation,” says Andy Richards, chief operating officer of Duncan Aviation’s Michigan operations.
“WMU’s aviation program is recognized internationally for its leadership in aviation education and serves as an essential element in Duncan Aviation’s talent pipeline. As the industry expands in scope and complexity, WMU has consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to excellence. We value this exceptional institution as our partner.”
The endowed professorship will create a permanent faculty position dedicated to advancing education, research and leadership in aviation technical operations—an area central to the safety, efficiency and innovation of the global aviation industry.
“This is a meaningful investment in our students and our college,” says Dr. Raymond Thompson, dean of the College of Aviation. “Duncan Aviation understands the strength of this industry depends on how well we prepare the next generation of technical operations professionals. This professorship will strengthen our ability to deliver the kind of education that connects directly to the needs of the field.”
Advancing technical leadership in aviation
Endowed professorships represent a long-term commitment to academic excellence, supporting exceptional faculty whose teaching, research and mentorship shape student success and the future of their fields.
“This endowed position gives us the flexibility to engage highly experienced professionals who can help shape curriculum, mentor students and keep our programs aligned with a rapidly evolving operational environment,” Thompson says.
The Endowed Professor of Technical Operations will anchor academic and industry leadership in the operational core of aviation. The position will focus on preparing students for the increasingly complex demands of aviation maintenance and technical management, including safety systems, regulatory frameworks and operational best practices.
A legacy of partnership and investment
To Robert Duncan, chairman emeritus of Duncan Aviation, the investment reflects a long-standing belief in the power of people to drive the business aviation industry forward. Throughout his decades of leadership at Duncan Aviation, he emphasized developing talent, fostering growth and building strong technical expertise—principles that will continue through the professorship that bears his name.
“Despite being a highly technical field, our industry relies on the talent and passion of its people to drive progress,” Richards says.
Duncan Aviation has partnered with WMU’s College of Aviation for many years, supporting students and programs through internships, scholarships and Experience-Driven Learning opportunities.
In 2008, the company established an aviation maintenance internship program for WMU students, followed by the creation of a maintenance scholarship in 2014. Duncan Aviation also has provided operational support at the Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field, where the company and WMU share facilities, and has collaborated on immersive experiences such as the WMU Aviation Summer Camp.
Meeting a critical industry need
The professorship also will support development of new academic pathways, including:
- A technical leadership pathway within the aviation technical operations bachelor’s degree program.
- An aviation technical leadership certificate program.
- A future graduate program in aviation maintenance leadership.
The aviation industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancement, increasing regulatory complexity and global workforce shortages. At the center of these changes is technical operations—the intersection of engineering, maintenance, safety and innovation.
This endowed professorship positions WMU to help address that need by preparing graduates with both technical expertise and leadership capability. It also strengthens the University’s ability to collaborate with industry leaders, regulators and service providers on emerging challenges and opportunities.
About WMU’s College of Aviation
Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation is one of the largest and most respected aviation programs in the country. With more than 1,200 undergraduate students, state-of-the-art facilities, a robust fleet and programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, WMU provides a comprehensive aviation education grounded in Experience-Driven Learning and strong industry partnerships. Recognized among the six best flight schools in the world by Study International, the college offers the only comprehensive aviation program at a public university in Michigan and builds on more than 85 years of aviation education and experience.
About Duncan Aviation
Duncan Aviation is the largest privately owned business jet service provider in the world, with complete maintenance, repair and overhaul service offerings across three full-service locations, and numerous satellite locations and aviation-on-ground capabilities across the United States. Now, celebrating 70 years of “The Passion for Aviation. The Heart of a Family.”
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