OKLAHOMA CITY — A Moore man is the 2007 winner of the Pearl Carter-Scott aviation scholarship, officials with the Wiley Post Commission recently announced.
Thomas Luman, a graduate of Westmoore High School, will be presented with the $5,000 scholarship Friday.
Luman is a freshman working toward his bachelor’s degree in aviation management at the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduation, Luman would like to become a flight instructor with the University and one day fly for a major airline.
“I think that there is a lot of potential for Oklahoma aviation and with the help of the Wiley Post Commission, I will be able to achieve my career goals,” Luman said. “Aviation is one of the more expensive course tracts to follow in college and hopefully the Wiley Post Commission will be able to support students for years to come.”
“The aviation industry is growing in Oklahoma, and it is vital to promote this among our youth,” said Bob Kemper, executive director of the Wiley Post Commission. “In order to continue the progress our state has made, we must make sure the next generation is equipped.”
The Wiley Post Commission teamed with the Chickasaw Nation to create a scholarship in honor of Carter-Scott, the famed Chickasaw aviatrix. Carter-Scott was a pioneer in her work in aviation and in her work with the Chickasaw Nation.
She was a founding board member of the Wiley Post Heritage of Flight and Transportation Museum and personal friend of Wiley Post.
Friday the Wiley Post Commission will also present the Wiley Post Spirit Award to the first international recipient, Jon Johanson, a midwife from Australia.
“Aviation and the aerospace industry, directly and indirectly, result in more than 150,000 jobs throughout Oklahoma, making it the state’s largest employer,” said Victor Bird, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. “The industry keeps growing, especially as business travelers and more aerospace companies either expand or relocate to Oklahoma. That growth translates into more job opportunities for Oklahoma graduates who want to pursue careers in aviation and the aerospace industry. And we must do all that we can to retain and attract graduates.”
The Wiley Post Spirit Award banquet takes place in Oklahoma City Friday.
Among the attendants at this year’s event will be aviation enthusiasts, past award recipient and Winnie Mae’s granddaughter. Winnie Mae was the daughter of Wiley Post’s employer F. C. Hall and the person for whom Wiley Post named his famous Lockheed Vega aircraft.
Tickets to the Wiley Post Spirit Award are tax deductible with proceeds benefiting the Wiley Post Heritage of Flight and Transportation Museum. Tickets to the event can be purchased by contacting the Wiley Post Commission.
The Wiley Post Heritage of Flight and Transportation Museum is a 501(c) 3 charitable education and scientific organization. The organization is currently working to restore the 1928 Curtiss-Wright Wiley Post hangar.
Wiley Post used the hangar extensively from 1929 to 1934 as a base for the Winnie Mae and to design and modify the airplane he used to set several national speed records, high altitude exploration of the stratosphere and two around-the-world flights.
Thanks in part to the help of Jackie Cooper, the completed hangar will be the first phase in the development of an aviation center which will include an aviation and transportation.
Local News
Westmoore graduate earns Pearl Carter-Scott aviation scholarship
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