Nov. 16: UND Aerospace to join FedEx Express to celebrate new scholarship program

The Aviation Department at UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will celebrate a new student scholarship arrangement with private industry partner FedEX Express on Friday, Nov. 16, at UND’s Flight Operations Administration Building (five-story structure) at the Grand Forks International Airport.

Last month, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., and the world’s largest express transportation company, included UND on a short list of flight schools around the nation that will share in $2.5 million to create scholarships for the next generation of aviation professionals.

UND Aerospace and FedEx Express plan to formalize that announcement and celebrate the new partnership at 1:30 p.m., Friday, in the Wings Café, located on the fifth floor of the administration building (take the elevator to the top). The public and media are invited.

UND Aerospace officials will be joined for the announcement by FedEx Express partners, including Tim Leonard, a UND Aviation alumnus and current vice president of flight operations for FedEx Express in Memphis, Tenn.

Kent Lovelace, a UND professor and director of aviation industry relations at UND, was present in Memphis when UND was first announced as one of only six schools to be part of the FedEx Express Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship program. During the visit,  Lovelace was treated to a tour of the FedEx Express World Hub.

“The Odegard School is very excited to establish this partnership with FedEx,” said Paul Lindseth, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. “It is another confirmation from a major industry partner of the outstanding reputation of UND’s Aviation program.”

Professor and Chair of the Aviation Department James Higgins says the new partnership represents a tremendous opportunity for students.

“We applaud FedEx for recognizing what has become a global problem in recruiting and retaining pilots in this industry,” he said.

“As our nation faces a critical pilot shortage, the generous gift from FedEx Express to financially support our students pursuing their flight instructor certification is crucial to our continued success in training the next generation of professional aviators,” said UND Aerospace Associate Dean Elizabeth Bjerke. “We are excited to be a part of the FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship Program.”

‘Purple Runway’ program

FedEx Express created the FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship program and is collaborating with six universities and technical schools from around the country, including UND, to provide valuable education and training for aspiring pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians and other aviation professionals.

David Cunningham, president and CEO of FedEx Express, said the U.S. education system should sharpen its focus on preparing young people for the good-paying jobs in the aviation industry that are needed to support growing international and domestic trade.

“E-commerce is driving increasing demands on both air and ground transportation networks at a time when large numbers of workers in these fields are retiring, or nearing retirement,” Cunningham said.  “We are working with schools to strengthen the pipeline of talented and diverse pilots, mechanics and other aviation professionals. The FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship helps lay that foundation for an individual to have a promising and successful career in the industry that FedEx Express created,” he said.

The $2.5 million in grants will go toward dedicated aviation scholarships at UND, the University of Memphis, Delta State University, Indiana State University, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, and Arkansas State University.

The FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship is an extension of the Company’s recently announced aviation pathways program Purple Runway – A FedEx Pathways Program that was announced April 2, 2018.  This industry-leading pilot development program is designed to assist two FedEx Express feeder operators with the recruitment and retention of pilots who wish to develop their skills and experiences to eventually qualify for pilot opportunities at FedEx Express.

More information about Purple Runway – A FedEx Pathways Program is available at: www.fedexpurplerunway.com

About the University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is the chief opportunity engine for North Dakota and UND students. Founded in 1883, six years before North Dakota was granted statehood, UND is among the nation’s premier regional public research universities and is at an exciting point in its 135-year history. Classified as a “Doctoral University: Higher Research Activity” institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, UND is characterized by a solid foundation of the liberal arts, high quality students and faculty, a diverse curriculum, a widely recognized program of graduate education and research, law and medical schools praised for quality and innovation, rich cultural resources, and an outstanding record of alumni support. Its major academic divisions include Arts and Sciences, Aerospace Sciences, Business and Public Administration, Education and Human Development, Engineering and Mines, Nursing and Professional Disciplines, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Extended Learning and the School of Graduate Studies. Long a provider of distance education, UND is developing a robust online presence.  Learn more at www.und.edu.

About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories.  FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $67 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 425,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.