For Immediate Release
January 19, 2023
Alexandria, VA. – Following a series of recent major contributions and the successful completion of an extensive fundraising drive, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Foundation has permanently endowed the AAAE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship, allowing for the issuance of annual awards of at least $5,000 in perpetuity.
The DE&I scholarship was created as part of AAAE’s ongoing efforts to expand support for future aviation leaders through foundation scholarships and will be awarded annually to an ethnic minority student (Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders) enrolled in a college or university aviation program with a junior, senior, or graduate student standing and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
AAAE First Vice Chair Perry Miller, A.A.E, I.A.P., President and CEO of the Richmond International Airport, led a coalition of aviation leaders in raising funds and awareness for this effort.
“We are grateful for the support of this scholarship by many AAAE members and partners, including recent significant contributions from Oris and Sylvia Dunham and the Birmingham Airport Authority, allowing us to complete our 18-month fundraising effort,” Miller said.
The AAAE Foundation thanks the following major gift donors and numerous individual contributors for their generous support of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship.
DE&I Founders - $15,000+
ACS Firm
Oris and Sylvia Dunham, Jr.
DE&I Scholarship Leaders - $10,000+
Benjamin R. DeCosta, A.A.E.
Birmingham Airport Authority
HMSHost Corporation
ProDIGIQ, Inc.
RS&H
DE&I Scholarship Advocates - $5,000+
AAAE Executive Management Team
AECOM
Burns & McDonnell
Elevated Facility Services Group
Great Lakes Chapter AAAE
Gresham Smith
Northeast Chapter AAAE
Northwest Chapter AAAE
South Central Chapter AAAE
Southeast Chapter AAAE
Southwest Chapter AAAE
Vanderlande Industries, Inc.
DE&I Scholarship Friends - $3,500+
C&S Companies
DY Consultants
Woolpert
Kailyn Hyman, a junior at Hampton University in Virginia majoring in aviation and air transportation, was the inaugural recipient of the scholarship. The announcement of Hyman’s award was made at the 94th Annual AAAE Conference & Exposition in June 2022.
Applications are now being accepted for all eight AAAE Foundation scholarship programs for the 2023-2024 school year. The Foundation anticipates awarding over $475,000 in scholarships this year to support future aviation leaders, AAAE members and their families.