Broward College commemorated the 50thanniversary of its aviation program by officially proclaiming its new name, the Emil Buehler Aviation Institute, announcing a $350,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co., and inducting alumnus Captain Barrington Irving into the Broward College Alumni Hall of Distinction.
“Our aviation program offers great career opportunities to our students while supporting the growing aviation industry in South Florida,” President J. David Armstrong, Jr. said. “We are very grateful for all our contributors, and today we offer a special thank you to JP Morgan Chase and Emil Buehler.”
The new name of the aviation program, the Emil Buehler Aviation Institute, celebrates the generosity of Emil Buehler, an avid supporter of the College during his lifetime, who continues to give posthumously through the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust. This year, the trust committed $1.5 million for the expansion of the Broward College aviation maintenance management program.
Another important supporter recognized at the 50th anniversary event was JPMorgan Chase & Co., which announced a $350,000 award to expand the aviation maintenance management program at the Institute. The award will align the commitment of JPMorgan Chase to increase economic opportunity in one of its priority areas, workforce readiness, by addressing strong workplace demand for skilled professionals in the field. The grant will create two professorships, covering salary and benefits, with each professor overseeing 25 new students in accordance with FAA rules, provide upgrades to avionics equipment, and support an aviation maintenance management recruitment program.
In addition, alumnus Captain Barrington Irving joined the prestigious ranks of the Broward College Alumni Hall of Distinction. Irving was the youngest person and only black pilot to fly solo around the world. Raised in Miami’s inner city, surrounded by crime, poverty, and failing schools, Irving beat the odds to make his historic flight in 2007 at age 23. He started his journey in 2002 by taking classes in the professional pilot program at Broward College and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Flight Education from Florida Memorial University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2009. A resident of Miami Lakes, Irving has shared his inspirational story at multiple Broward College events including graduation, challenging students to overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams.
Irving is the founder of Experience Aviation, a dynamic educational nonprofit designed to encourage middle and high school students to explore aviation and other science and math careers. He also developed The Flying Classroom curriculum for elementary and middle school students. The Flying Classroom curriculum takes students on virtual expeditions around the world to illuminate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) concepts and ideas.
About the Emil Buehler Aviation Institute:
Established in 1966, the Broward College Emil Buehler Aviation Institute is the only public facility in Broward County dedicated to the training of aviation professionals. The Institute currently offers Associate in Science degrees in aviation administration with four areas of specializations, as well professional pilot technology and aviation maintenance management. It also has certificate programs in airport management, avionics vocational, airport airframe mechanics, aircraft power plant mechanical and commercial flight operations. In 2016, the Florida State Board of Education approved a new Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Sciences.
The Broward College Aviation Institute is located on South Campus at 7200 Pines Boulevard in Pembroke Pines, adjacent to North Perry Airport. Tours and information sessions are hosted Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 3 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.broward.edu/academics/programs/aviation.
All photos courtesy: Downtown Photo
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