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SEEHEIM, GERMANY — Graduates, government and corporate partners, and university representatives were among those attending the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Europe commencement ceremony at the Lufthansa Training and Conference Centre in Seeheim, Germany, Saturday, April 27.
More than 95 students received degrees through Embry-Riddle Worldwide Europe this spring, 30 of whom attended this annual ceremony. Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees were awarded in Aeronautics, Aviation Maintenance, Technical Management and Engineering Technology. Master’s degrees were awarded in Aeronautics, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Leadership and Business Administration in Aviation.
Dr. John Watret, Worldwide Chancellor, officially opened the ceremony and Bill Muldoon, Vice Chancellor, Campus Operations - Worldwide, welcomed the students, families and guests to the ceremony.
Dr. Jason Ruckert, Vice Chancellor and Chief Digital Learning Officer, Nancy Tran-Horne, Executive Director, Campus Operations, International, Dr. Donna Roberts, Department Chair, Social Sciences & Economics/College of Arts & Sciences (Mace Bearer) and CEO of Luxaviation Helicopters, Ms. Charlotte Pedersen, Commencement Speaker, completed the platform party. Ms. Nicola Brady, Stuttgart Assistant Campus Director, served as the ceremony’s reader. Edmund Odartey, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, delivered the Alumni speech.
“Today it is natural to focus on our proud history of service. For close to 50 years, Embry-Riddle has been graduating America’s men and women in uniform stationed in Europe,” said Vice-Chancellor Muldoon. “Our talented graduates have the relevant degrees and skills demanded by the aviation/aerospace industry. Incredible opportunities await them. We stand in admiration of our 2019 graduates’ achievements and thank all of our government and industry partners for their devotion to our alumni’s academic and professional success.”
Ms. Charlotte Pedersen offered the graduates her advice on how to make important choices for your career and family. She shared her personal choices on which career roads she embarked upon and impressed upon the students to always remember their priorities in life as they select their own career and life paths. Before becoming the CEO of a Luxembourg-based company, Charlotte was the first female pilot accepted into the Danish Air Force in 1989, when the military program began accepting female applicants. She worked as a search and rescue pilot on the S-61 helicopter as well as in other capacities within the military before moving onto the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) as a Flight Operations Inspector for both helicopters and fixed wing. She has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry in addition to holding a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Strategic Management. “If you feel insecure, both men and women can feel this way, it is most likely because you are lacking knowledge so go get the wisdom,” encouraged Pedersen, “And respect everyone on your way, both upwards and downwards, this tells more about you than anything else and it pays off – believe me!”
Worldwide Chancellor Dr. John Watret summarized the day’s events, stating: “Graduates traveled from all over Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and even Malta to attend today’s commencement, underscoring our global presence and appeal. Our numerous annual commencement ceremonies around the world give faculty, staff, and families an opportunity to celebrate an elite milestone: the earning of an Embry-Riddle degree. Our graduates are poised to lead in aviation and aerospace, one of the world’s fastest growing sectors. Many already lead in the US military. We are here to support and bear witness to their successes and ensure that future generations possess the meaningful skills demanded by industry. This is what makes Embry-Riddle great.”
