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Story written by: Matthew Schmidt

Cody Christensen, an associate professor at South Dakota State University, received the V.L. Laursen Award at the University Aviation Association’s 73rd Annual Education Conference held virtually in October. Christensen, who has led the ������Ƶ aviation program since 2014, is the first one from ������Ƶ to receive an award from the UAA.

The award is granted to professional educators who are UAA members in good standing, who have at least five years actual experience in the aviation education profession, and who have made outstanding contributions to aerospace education. Nominations for this award may be made by UAA professional, associate, corporate or institutional members. This award is presented in honor of TWA’s captain Vern L. Laursen, staff vice president-flight operations training.

“It is always nice to hear your colleagues think you’re doing a good job and I think that’s what all of us strive to do. This award is one example of the impact our program has at the national level,” Christensen said. “We want to make sure we’re providing the safest, best prepared students we can while still being as cost-effective as possible with student dollars.”

The ������Ƶ aviation program has 180 majors with 120 of those currently working on flight certificates, nearly triple the amount from six years ago.

“Even in this short downturn in the aviation industry, we are still seeing a strong need for pilots and ������Ƶ aviation is ready to deliver,” Christensen said.

About the University Aviation Association
The University Aviation Association represents collegiate aviation for 200+ colleges and universities worldwide offering aviation majors (pilots, ATC, dispatch, drones, airline and airport management). UAA publishes the Collegiate Aviation Guide college catalog and partners with industry and government to advance collegiate aviation through internships, career fairs, scholarships and research studies.