NEWS

Highlighted by a Saturday night awards banquet and the presentation of scholarships in the Davison Athletics Complex, the Louisiana Tech Department of Professional Aviation’s AVFEST 2023 was a day of sharing success stories and encouragement.

The annual celebration always provides a perfect opportunity for Tech’s far-reaching Aviation Family to reunite, renew relationships, and introduce current students to the AVFEST experience.

With the continued support of alumni, donors, and friends, along with behind-the-scenes help from the Louisiana Tech University Foundation and Development Director Rosilynn Gillum (Class of ’09), the Department of Professional Aviation was able to award more than $51,000 in scholarships to Tech Aviation students for the coming school year.

“Partnerships with businesses that recognize the potential of Tech Aviation and our students have been a huge plus for us,” Professional Aviation Department Chair Monty Montgomery said. “These collaborations make such a big difference in helping to expose our students to every facet of the aviation industry. And our alumni, well, they’re the best: we are truly blessed to have these awesome people at our side and available to our students.”

The all-day affair began with a “State of the Industry” breakfast, followed by a faculty and staff meeting with alumni, then a “Burger Burn” cookout sponsored by United Aviates, an Industry Advisory Board Meeting, and finally the big finish — the AVFEST Awards Banquet.

Tech graduate and recently retired Delta Airlines pilot Captain Steven Curtis “Steve” Weber was the evening’s guest speaker; Weber was with Delta 37 years and retired with the titles of Captain, Boeing 767-400, and Line Check Pilot.

Tech’s Aviation Family and the College of Liberal Arts ended the night by celebrating the accomplishments of its aviation students and presenting scholarships. All proceeds from the banquet will be used for future scholarships for aviation department students.