September 19, 2006

Four SIUC aviation students win scholarships

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Four students in Southern Illinois University Carbondale's nationally recognized aviation program are recipients of Chicago Area Business Aviation Association Scholarships.

Each student received $2,500.

Here are the scholarship recipients, by hometown:

Belvidere: John-Paul H. Dixon, senior in aviation management. He is the son of Paul and Lois Dixon (7894 Monticello Drive).

Carbondale: Jonathan A. Joseph, junior in aviation management. He is the son of Ashur and Diane Joseph (1144 S. Morningside Drive).

Rockton: Nicholas P. Cotter (11422 N. Rockton Ave.).

Rolling Meadows: Katie M. Lake, senior in aviation flight. She is the daughter of Ken and Sue Lake (3903 Raven Lane).

Dixon, Joseph, and Lake are in the University's Aviation Management and Flight program, which is part of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. Cotter is in the department's Off-Campus Aviation Management program at Triton College.

"It is extremely gratifying that SIUC aviation students won four of the scholarships," said department chair David A. NewMyer, who accompanied students when they received their awards in late August.

"It was a thrill to be there to see the students receive the money and be recognized by such a prestigious group," he said.

Chicago-area aviation students attending any aviation program in the country are eligible for the award, NewMyer said. There were eight recipients.

Formed in 1998, the not-for-profit Chicago Area Business Aviation Association offers a way for businesses that utilize business aviation and its vendors to share concerns and ideas.

Achieving excellence in graduate and undergraduate programs is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.