EREAU Graduates Told To Take Courage

The celebration can't begin soon enough Saturday for Embry-Riddle grads, from left to right, Rob Proctor, Jason McMillen, Mike Franck and Mike Mulawka. Champagne shower's were the order of the day after the four happy grads got their diplomas.

Article from the Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal

Speaker hands out book by pilot

By AUDREY PARENTE

DAYTONA BEACH - Courage, conviction and caution were challenges issued to 375 graduates from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who filed into the new Field House on Saturday for the first-ever on-campus graduation. More than 2,000 guests attended the ceremony. The main speaker was R. Dixon Speas, president of Planning Research Corp. of Tucson, Ariz. Speas is an acclaimed aeronautical engineer, best known for developing the world's first intercontinental computer flight plan. He used the example of Capt. Scott O'Grady, the Air Force pilot who was shot down in Bosnia earlier this year, to provide the "crowning example of having the courage of one's conviction." After being shot down, O'Grady, an ERAU graduate, had been advised that a rescue party would be coming for him the next day, Speas said. "Spontaneously, and with the courage of his convictions, he immediately blurted out:'No, get me the heck out of here -

NOWV A meeker soul with less courage of his convictions would have accepted the decision," Speas said.

He reminded the graduating students to have the courage of their own convictions and to read O'Grady's book, "Return With Honor." As a gift, Speas gave each graduate a copy of the O'Grady's book, autographed by the author.

Speas, who has spent his life keeping aircraft and airlines operating safely and efficiently around the world, also issued words of caution.

"Learn all you can about the other guy's mistakes - you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself, " he said. Speas reminded students "knowledge is of two categories - that which you know and that which you know where to find." He included tidbits of advice from his father, teachers and an acquaintance, Charles Lindbergh, the first person to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

Speas, who was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame this year, received an honorary doctoral degree in aviation business administration, presented by University President Steven M, Sliwa during the graduation ceremonies.

Shwa also presented Bradley Raymond Heydt, candidate for a bachelor of science degree, with the President's Award for service to the university and the community.

University officials said 80 percent of the graduates already have jobs.

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