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College Profile: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University


If you are a student considering a career in aeronautics, then you should take a look at Embry-Riddle. I have been to the Daytona Beach campus and found it teeming with motivated students and a vibrant student life. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is renowned for its dedication to aviation and aerospace education. With campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as a robust Worldwide Campus, ERAU offers a unique blend of history, tradition, and academic excellence. 



A Legacy of Aviation Excellence:


Founded in December 1925 by barnstormer pilot John Paul Riddle and entrepreneur T. Higbee Embry in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Embry-Riddle Company began as a flight training school. By 1929, it was among the first five flying schools certified under the Air Commerce Act. Over the decades, the institution evolved, becoming Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1970. Today, it stands as the world's largest accredited university system specializing in aviation and aerospace education.


Student Demographics & Campus Life:


Enrollment & Diversity:


  • Total Enrollment (2023–24): Approximately 32,103 students across all campuses.

    • Undergraduate: 26,414

    • Graduate: 5,689

  • Daytona Beach Campus: About 8,755 students.

  • Prescott Campus: Approximately 3,433 students.

  • Worldwide Campus: Over 19,900 students.


Gender & International Representation:


  • Female Students: Around 28% across residential campuses.

  • International Students: Approximately 9.5%.


Campus Life:


ERAU offers a vibrant campus experience with over 130 student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs like the Eagles Flight Team and the Embry-Riddle Muscle Car Association. Facilities such as the Mori Hosseini Student Union and the ICI Center provide spaces for dining, fitness, and student activities.


Traditions:


  • OctoberWest: Held at the Prescott Campus, this homecoming event features air shows, races, barbecues, and luaus, drawing students, alumni, and aviation enthusiasts.

  • Golden Eagles Flight Team: Based in Prescott, this team has clinched 13 national championships and is a testament to ERAU's commitment to aviation excellence.

  • Spirit and Traditions Board: At the Daytona Beach Campus, this student-led committee organizes events to boost school spirit and uphold university traditions.


Fun Facts:


  • Mascot: Ernie the Eagle symbolizes the university's soaring spirit.

  • Global Reach: The Worldwide Campus offers programs at over 130 locations, including military bases, and serves more than 22,000 students.

  • Notable Alumni: Cheryl Stearns, a 1985 graduate, holds the Guinness World Record for the most parachute jumps in 24 hours by a woman—352 jumps in November 1995.


An aerospace and aviation education is an exciting one! If this is an area of interest for you, then consider visiting one or more of the ERAU campuses in person, and check out the website at: https://erau.edu/.


 
 
 
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