Keeping the Home Fires Burning

The Delta Air Lines Foundation—an initiative by which the Atlanta, Georgia-based legacy U.S. air-carrier supports education and health-and-wellness activities in the cities to which it provides air-service—has awarded a $3-million grant to Middle Georgia State University (MGA), the largest single contribution in the institution's history. The funds will expand MGA's School of Aviation programs over the next three years.

MGA President Christopher Blake hailed the grant, stating it will create more opportunities for Georgia students to pursue aviation careers. The Delta Foundation recognized the School's vital role in supporting the state's aviation industry workforce.

The Delta grant will be used to establish partnerships with K-12 schools, develop satellite flight training locations, procure new equipment, and hire faculty. A new Delta-endowed professorship is planned.

MGA's aviation students overwhelmingly hail from across Georgia, representing diversity in gender, ethnicity, and geography. This contrasts with low national diversity rates among aviation technicians and pilots.

The School offers bachelor's degrees, associate's degrees, and certificates related to flight, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, and management. Accredited since 1995, the School has seen enrollment double over the past five-years.

With the Delta Foundation's support, MGA is positioned to continue building its programs to supply pilots, technicians, and other personnel for the aviation/aerospace industry in Georgia.

Founded in 1929, Delta is among the world’s oldest operating airlines—as evinced by its unremitting use of the archaic Air Lines appellation. By the metrics of passengers carried, passenger miles flown, and fleet size, Delta is the world’s second largest airline. Along with its subsidiaries and regional affiliates, Delta employs some ninety-thousand individuals and operates upwards of 5,400 daily flights serving 325 destinations in 52 countries on six continents. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance.

FMI: www.delta.com