Aviation Program's New Seminole Will Carry Her Name

What better way to honor a retiring university president who garnered high marks for her support of her school's aeronautics program... than to name an aircraft after her?

We're sure retiring Kent State University president Carol A. Cartwright (right) would agree... and on June 1, she will fly on the maiden voyage of the KSU aviation department's newest training aircraft -- a twin-engine Piper Seminole bearing her name.

"In appreciation for 15 years of excellent leadership and support of the aeronautics program, we have named this aircraft after President Cartwright," Dr. Issac Richmond Nettey, senior academic program director of aeronautics, told the Youngstown (OH) Business-Journal.

"This is the first time in our aviation program’s history that we have named a plane in our fleet after someone," Nettey added.

The PA44 is the latest aircraft purchased by the KSU aviation department this year. As Aero-News reported in January, KSU also took delivery of two G1000-equipped Cessna Skyhawks as part of an ongoing fleet modernization program.

"The addition of [the Seminole] provides a critical capability to provide flight education and training in a multi-engine aircraft, which is indispensable in preparing flight students for the profession of commercial airline pilots," added Nettey.

Kent State's aviation program also boasts a Bridge Program Agreement with Continental Express. Its graduates include the nation's very first female Marine Corp. pilot.

FMI: www.kent.edu/tech/AcademicDivisions/Aeronautics/