Robert Crandall to Speak at Embry-Riddle Commencement

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Former American Airlines CEO Robert Crandall to Speak at Embry-Riddle Commencement

Daytona Beach, Fla., April 22, 2004 -- Robert Crandall, former chairman and chief executive officer of AMR Corp. and American Airlines, will be the featured speaker at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's graduation ceremony for 777 students on Saturday, May 1. The event will be held at 9 a.m. outdoors in the university's Jack R. Hunt Aviator Park.

Embry-Riddle will present Crandall with its Eagle of Aviation Award, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of aviation.

Also at commencement, Embry-Riddle trustee emeritus Philip Elliott Jr. will receive an honorary doctorate in Arts and Letters. Elliott served on Embry-Riddle's Board of Trustees for 39 years, beginning in 1965, and retired from the Board this year. For lengthy periods he was chairman of the Board's Executive Committee and vice chairman of the Board. Elliott was Embry-Riddle's attorney for 33 years and currently has a mediation practice with Upchurch, Watson, White, & Max.

In addition, Embry-Riddle will bestow the title of professor emeritus on H. Elliot Palmer, professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, who has worked at the university for 28 years. Palmer was one of the founders of the Engineering Physics program, serving as its program chair for 12 years. He was a member of most of the major committees in the Faculty Senate and was an advisor to the Sailing Club.

The Wall Street Journal has called Crandall "the man who changed the way the world flies." During his 25-year tenure at American Airlines, he was instrumental in introducing several new concepts that revolutionized the travel industry.

In 1973, Crandall sponsored a project to modernize American's SABRE computer reservations system, thus laying the groundwork for what eventually became the SABRE Group, now a leading provider of computing and communications services for airlines throughout the world.

Crandall created Super Saver fares in 1975, introducing the concept of deep discounts for advance-purchase tickets. Subsequently, he led the development of the industry's first yield-management system, a revenue-maximizing approach now used throughout the airline industry.

In 1980, he created AAdvantage, the industry's first frequent-flyer program and, in 1983, launched an expansion program that more than tripled American's size and transformed it from a medium-sized domestic carrier to one of the world's leading international airlines, with revenues of more than $20 billion.

Among the many national and trade publications that have honored Crandall for his achievements and executive leadership are Air Transport World, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Business Week, Financial World, and Industry Week. In 1997, Crandall received the Horatio Alger Award, which honors individuals who have achieved success despite challenging life circumstances.

Embry-Riddle, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, meets the needs of students and industry through its educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle educates more than 28,000 students annually through the master level at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Extended Campus at more than 130 teaching centers in the United States and Europe, and worldwide through distance learning.