College of Engineering names Textron Aviation 2017 Company of the Year
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017
MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University College of Engineering will honor Textron Aviation Inc. as the 2017 Company of the Year at its 34th annual Career Fair Recognition event, Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the Engineering Complex atrium.
The selection is based on exhibited commitment to engineering education, as well as high standards and quality performance in the engineering profession.
Textron Aviation Inc., based in Wichita, is a leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The company has delivered more than 250,000 aircraft in more than 143 countries. Its products include Citation business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops, and T-6 military trainer aircraft.
"As Textron Aviation continues to lead the aviation industry with respect to new and innovative product offerings, and the global reach of our customer base, the talent derived from Kansas State University is critical in fueling our continued success," said Brad Thress, Textron Aviation's senior vice president of engineering.
"The heritage of engineering excellence at Kansas State University's College of Engineering continues today and is now matched with a strong focus on leadership development and technological innovation, making it one of the country's top programs," Thress said.
Last year, the company bestowed its name upon the Textron Aviation Women in Engineering Conference Room, a part of the College of Engineering's broader Academic Success Center. It is currently in its second year as a corporate partner in the college's Engineering Leadership and Innovation, or ELI, program, and continues to hire many engineering students for internships and full-time employment.
"Textron Aviation has been a strong partner and its support, in particular, of our ELI and Women in Engineering programs has been an immense benefit to our students' educational experience," said Darren Dawson, dean of the College of Engineering. "It is a privilege and honor to recognize them as our 2017 Company of the Year."
Established in 1974, the Company of the Year event is hosted and sponsored by the university's Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honorary Society.
