Southeastern's Aviation Director Named President of National Organization

by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
November 6, 2008

DURANT, Okla. -- The Executive Director of the University Aviation Association (UAA) has named Dr. David Conway as its new president. Conway currently serves as the Director of Southeastern Oklahoma State University's Aviation Sciences Institute. He is also the Aviation Graduate Studies Chair and is a tenured full-professor in the John Massey School of Business.

"I am extremely honored to be elected by my peers to become the newest President of UAA," Conway said. Conway retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service and immediately began his university career. He has amassed more than 30 publications and presentations as well as 20 grants. He also serves as a peer reviewer or contributing editor on numerous journals and has served on several aviation panels.

"Dr. Conway will do an outstanding job in this leadership role," said Southeastern president Michael D. Turner. "This honor is yet another example of just how highly respected the Southeastern aviation program is across the country. Students from throughout the United States are attracted to our aviation sciences institute because of the quality of instruction that is offered."

Conway was installed as the current UAA President during the University Aviation Association's Fall Education Conference in Denver, Colorado. UAA is the voice of collegiate aviation education to its members, the industry, government and the general public. Through the collective expertise of its members, this nonprofit organization plays a pivotal role in the advancement of degree-granting aviation programs that represent all segments of the aviation industry.

Today, UAA has more than 600 members, including 100 accredited colleges and universities. The organization and its members are poised to meet the ever-changing needs of the aviation industry and address the challenges of the 21st century.

"I anticipate that aviation education programs around the globe will continue to grow in importance in conjunction with the projected worldwide growth in aviation," Conway said. " The University Aviation Association and the membership are here to help facilitate this growth and ensure that the aviation industry is staffed with highly trained and well educated aviation professionals. When counseling parents and students during good economic times it is often difficult to justify the high cost, in both time and money, associated with a comprehensive aviation education program. However, in economically turbulent times it is essential that we all stand firm on the need for expertly trained aviation professionals and maintain our high standards. It is our obligation to serve the aviation industry and ensure its future by preparing future aviation professionals to the best of our ability."