NEWS RELEASE 08-07
June 9, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thousands of dollars of scholarship funds are waiting for applicants from Women in Aviation’s active and successful scholarship program. Because of the number of scholarships offered, applicants are encouraged to submit beginning July 1, 2008, and get an early start in applying.
"We wanted to give our members more time in the application process," said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. "So we’re announcing the first wave of scholarships in the July/August 2008 issue of Aviation for Women, with additional announcements in September/October 2008."
The deadline for all scholarship applications remains November 21, 2008. The winners of these scholarships will be announced during the 20th Anniversary International Women in Aviation Conference on February 26-28, 2009 being held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.
Several scholarships are offered for the first time for 2009. The Sporty’s Foundation is offering two $5,000 Recreational Pilot Flight Training Scholarships for WAI members who are small aircraft maintenance technicians. “Hal Shevers of Sporty’s offered these scholarships as part of his mission to help provide a well-trained workforce to maintain small aircraft,” said Dr. Chabrian. Another unique scholarship has been established in memory of Flo Irwin, who along with her husband founded Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. Aircraft Spruce is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a junior or senior woman majoring in aviation management with the intent to start her own aviation business after graduation.
Other scholarships for 2009 are earmarked for a variety of aviation-oriented endeavors – flight training, academic, career changes and learning to fly just for the pleasure of it. Don’t think that these scholarships are intended only for college-age members, age is not a factor in awarding any particular scholarship. "Regardless if you are a student or career person, you should look through the scholarship offerings to see which scholarship would suit your specific needs, for your career or your personal life," said Dr. Chabrian.
At the 2008 Conference in San Diego, nearly $700,000 was awarded to 60 WAI members – both women and men. For information on scholarships and instructions on how to apply, visit www.wai.org.
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information about the Conference and about WAI, contact WAI at 3647 State Route 503 South, West Alexandria, OH 45381, Phone (937) 839-4647; Fax (937) 839-4645 or through www.wai.org.
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Contact:
Connie Lawrence
Women in Aviation International
937-839-4647 Phone
937-839-4645 Fax