Wright Flyer sculpture

Embry-Riddle's history parallels that of aviation in so many ways it's hard not to feel an almost proprietary pride in the industry we grew up with.

Not long after the Wright brothers' historic first flight at Kitty Hawk, we were flying night mail from Lunken Airport in Cincinnati and teaching young men and women to be pilots and technicians. We created a fledgling airline and played a part in founding the company that later became American Airlines.

During World War II and the Korean War, we trained thousands of pilots and aircraft technicians for those conflicts.

Today Embry-Riddle is a fully accredited university with two residential campuses, more than 150 teaching centers in the United States and Europe, distance learning opportunities, and 33 degree programs through the master's level. Among our 44,000 alumni we count astronauts, commercial pilots, technical specialists, problem-solvers, and leaders in all areas of aviation and aerospace.

In 2001, 75 years after our founding, yes, we do feel proud to be a vital part of this amazing industry.

But in the same year, we also experienced other emotions.

We felt violated Sept. 11 when that which we love was used by misguided people to commit evil acts. We were hurt in the days that followed when initial reports led many to believe an Embry-Riddle alumnus was linked to this act of terror. And we felt frustrated that it took so long to get confirmation that the connection was nothing more than a case of mistaken identity.

In the middle of the madness, however, we were heartened to receive countless messages of support and encouragement from alumni and friends worldwide. Perhaps you were one of those who wrote, called, and e-mailed. But even if you weren't, we count on your support. We invite you to help spread the good news about Embry-Riddle.

We all have much to be proud of.

-- Robert Ross
Editor