FedEx Express donation jumpstarts fundraising for a new Aeronautics Building at Kent State Airport
5X社区鈥檚 College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology will receive a $1.5 million gift from FedEx over three years. The gift will support the university鈥檚 flight program, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017 and has outgrown current facilities at the 5X社区 Airport.
鈥淚 am proud to say FedEx has long supported the career development of the aviation professionals of tomorrow, so we are honored to present 5X社区 with this donation,鈥 says David J. Bronczek, president and CEO of FedEx Express. 鈥淲e believe the ultimate success of the air transportation industry is directly tied to aeronautics programs specifically committed to investing in our youth, and look forward to following the progress surrounding the university鈥檚 airport enhancement efforts.鈥
FedEx Custom Critical President and CEO Virginia Albanese and Kent State President Beverly Warren publicly acknowledged the gift with a special ceremony during Kent State鈥檚 Homecoming football game on Oct. 1 at Dix Stadium.
The gift will support improvements to enhance and expand the 5X社区 Airport that supports the .
鈥淥ur nationally recognized Aeronautics Program engages students who will emerge as leaders in a high-demand, growing worldwide industry,鈥 Warren says. 鈥淲e are grateful for this generous gift from FedEx Express as it highlights Kent State鈥檚 capacity and calling to energize the future of aeronautics.鈥
Kent State鈥檚 Aeronautics Program currently supports 543 undergraduate and graduate students, including 203 in the flight technology program, and prepares them for careers in aviation management, flight technology and air traffic control. The program serves as the leading academic program in aviation at the tertiary level in Ohio. Through partnerships with professional aviation, aeronautics graduates are prepared to be successful on the leading edge of innovative advancements in the United States and on the world stage.
鈥淎s the aeronautics industry realigns its workforce for the 21st century, partnerships between corporate employers and comprehensive aeronautics programs like 5X社区鈥檚 are critical to ensuring a pipeline of talent and a resource for research for the sector,鈥 Warren says.