Source: Raylene Alexander, 785-826-2940, raylene@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Natalie Blair, 785-826-2642, nblair@k-state.edu

Monday, March 7, 2011

AVIATION MAINTENANCE STUDENTS LAND SCHOLARSHIPS FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

SALINA -- Three Kansas State University Salina students have earned scholarships from the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance.

The awards were presented at the association's annual international conference, Feb. 24-26, in Reno, Nev.

"These scholarships provide our students with valuable industry training that will set them apart from other technicians in the aviation maintenance field," said Raylene Alexander, assistant professor of avionics at K-State Salina and a member of the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance board of directors.

Recipients include:

Van Hockersmith, senior in aviation maintenance, Manhattan, the Abaris Phase 1 and 2 Industry Composite Training scholarship worth $3,390. The scholarship allows Hockersmith to spend two weeks in training sessions on fabricating and repairing damage to composite materials at one of Abaris' training sites in Reno, Nev., Griffin, Ga., or Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.

Robin Suprenant, senior in aviation maintenance, Cochise, Ariz., the Nolan Avionics Scholarship and the Jet Blue Maintenance Scholarship. The Nolan scholarship provides a $250 credit toward any Aircraft Electronics Association training course. The Jet Blue scholarship lets Suprenant attend a two-day Airbus or Embraer E190 general familiarization course.

Allan Richardson, senior in aviation maintenance, Adams, Neb., a Pratt and Whitney Scholarship to attend a course offered at the Pratt and Whitney Customer Training Center in East Hartford, Conn., or to take Pratt and Whitney line maintenance courses at the Quebec, Canada facility, or a FlightSafety International facility. Fewer than 5 percent of all aviation maintenance technicians in the world are selected to attend Pratt and Whitney's training courses.