On Friday, April 1, more than 80 Vaughn students, donors and sponsors gathered at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport to celebrate the achievements of Vaughn students at the scholarship luncheon. This was the first event of its kind orchestrated to highlight the achievements of students and the donors and sponsors responsible. 

Vaughn President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo kicked off the event by welcoming all the guests and discussed the importance of partnerships and scholarships to help further transform a students’ education and career trajectory. Dr. Maxine Lubner presented longtime Vaughn professor Hon. Dr. John Goglia, independent aviation safety consultant, with the Laura Tabor Barbour Air Safety Award for his contributions to the industry. The award recognizes and celebrates the original and remarkable worldwide contributions in the field of aviation safety in method, design, invention, study or other advancement. 

“I’ve come to Vaughn to give back, the aviation industry has been very good to me,” said Goglia. “It’s been a wonderful career and I hope for the same for our students.”  

Vaughn students Sadia Harun ’21 and Kevin Ferrara ’22 received the Laura Tabor Barbour Scholarship Fund. This fund awards scholarships to accomplished students who are enrolled in aviation career studies at accredited aviation schools, nominated by their professors and selected by the scholarship committee. Harun, an airport management major, is an aspiring air traffic controller who wants to be the eyes and ears for pilots in the sky and to represent what women in this field can achieve. Ferrara, also an airport management major, is interested in pursuing a career in accident investigation at the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board. 

“The COVID pandemic made it difficult because jobs were very limited and unemployment was high,” Harun noted. “With this scholarship it helped me continue my education and I’m able to graduate next month.”  

Several other sponsors attended the event to present scholarships, including The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority Scholarship), United Airlines (Student Leadership Academy), The Wings Club (Wings Club Scholarship), Kiwanis Club (Kiwanis Scholarship) and many others. These events provide students with the opportunity to network and build relationships with donors across the aviation industry. The scholarships Vaughn students receive solidifies their futureproof careers and lifelong ambitions and sets them on a path to success that will last a lifetime.  

 

Students, donors and sponsors conversing at the luncheon.
(L-R) Dr. Maxine Lubner presenting Sadia Harun ’21 with the Laura Tabor Barbour Scholarship.