OSHKOSH, Wis. (July 21, 2009) – “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” 2009 AirVenture Oshkosh, is right around the corner. For youth with a passion for aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s third annual “Lunch with Embry Riddle,” featuring DreamLaunch Tour speaker and alumnus Jamail Larkins, is a can’t-miss event. The Embry-Riddle event with Larkins will be held at the EAA AirVenture Museum on Friday, July 31, starting at 11:30 a.m.
During the luncheon, Jamail will share his experiences in aviation, beginning with his first flight at age 12. He completed his first U.S. solo at 16, performed in an aerobatic air show for the first time just two years later, and then entered Embry-Riddle, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation business administration. Larkins’ story is an inspiration and one that he hopes will open students’ eyes to the myriad opportunities available to those who dream big, work hard, and attend Embry-Riddle – whether it’s as a future pilot, aerospace engineer, air traffic controller, or other rewarding aviation positions.
Larkins’ presentation at the luncheon will be based on his hugely successful nationwide DreamLaunch Tour that visits schools in up to 20 cities each year. Sponsored by Embry-Riddle, the Tour will stop at approximately 15-20 schools in the upcoming 2009-2010 school year, including Denver, Miami, Memphis, New York/New Jersey and Seattle.
“Jamail has been a fantastic ambassador for Embry-Riddle, and through the DreamLaunch Tour he’s helped more than 100,000 students across the country realize there are innumerable opportunities in aviation,” said John P. Johnson, Embry-Riddle’s president. “AirVenture’s family-oriented atmosphere is the perfect place for Embry-Riddle and Jamail to share our message about how young people can pursue their dreams. Beginning with this year’s show, we plan to make AirVenture a standard stop on the DreamLaunch Tour schedule.”
The DreamLaunch program for middle-school and high-school students kicks off the fifth season this year, in which Larkins, an aviation entrepreneur and air show performer, visits schools across the nation to spark young people’s interest in aviation youth programs and careers.
Interested students unable to make it to “Lunch with Embry Riddle” with Jamail Larkins can meet him at the Embry-Riddle booth, Exhibit Space #397-401 at AirVenture each day (July 27-August 1) from 2-2:30 p.m. During this time, he will sign autographs, host an informal meet-and-greet, and answer questions about Embry-Riddle and the aviation field in general.
Larkins is currently sponsored by Embry-Riddle, AeroShell, Cirrus, Bose, Michelin, and Jeppesen.
Advance registration is required to attend the Embry-Riddle lunch. To register, please inquire at Embry-Riddle’s booth Exhibit Space #397-401 or go to: secure.eaa.org/airventure/erau_rsvp.html. For further information or to book Jamail’s DreamLaunch Tour presentation in your area, please visit www.JamailLarkins.com.ABOUT THE DREAMLAUNCH TOUR
The DreamLaunch Tour is a dynamic presentation delivered by 25-year-old Jamail Larkins and sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The presentation covers the various opportunities available in the aviation industry, aviation youth programs, and shows students how to overcome any obstacles they may encounter in life while trying to achieve their goals.
ABOUT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY
Embry-Riddle is the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace. Embry-Riddle educates more than 34,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 130 campus centers in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.
