Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, the Commander of Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in Patuxant River, MD, signed Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) on January 28, 2010 with Dr. Patti Mills, Dean of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s University College, Teaneck, NJ.

Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, a forward leader in this program, last signed an EPA in New Jersey on March 31, 2008 with Rowan University, College of Engineering in Glassboro, NJ and with the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science in Manahawkin, NJ in other uniquely tailored agreements.

This partnership is intended to enhance the educational experience of students and faculty by providing both with an opportunity to work with expert engineers, unique facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment related to naval aviation at NAVAIR Lakehurst located on Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. Students collaborate in the many disciplines associated with aircraft systems and subsystems not available in a university environment. As a result, students demonstrate accomplishments in real world technical applications and teamwork they may use to direct their careers or for their first engineering job search after graduation.

“Access to NAVAIR Lakehurst personnel, hardware, and facilities create a unique opportunity for these students to become aware of and collaborate in the many disciplines associated with aircraft engineering systems,” said Rear Admiral Gaddis. “The Capstone Program encourages young student engineers by offering them opportunities and by stimulating novel thinking as they conduct engineering research on issues that benefit naval aviation and ultimately, the Navy.”

In a show of confidence, design clinics and capstone projects already had begun September 2009 relating to engine test software, an integrated diagnostics and automated test system, wireless probes and an improved Expeditionary Air Field Mat stake removal tool. For NAVAIR Lakehurst, this effort has been coordinated by Jules Lewyckyj, Education Partnership Coordinator. “This investment in education for the university and Navy and raises base-line performance of all engineering students, identifies engineering talent and contributes to enhanced productivity and enables participants to become better employees faster,” said Lewyckyj.

Cutlines:

After the Educational Partnership Agreement signing ceremony in Teaneck, NJ, Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, Commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division addresses Fairleigh Dickinson University officials representing the university in implementing the new partnership agreement.
VIRIN 100128-N-6950L-001 Photo by: Jules Lewyckyj.

After the Educational Partnership Agreement signing ceremony, Kathleen Donnelly, Director, Support Equipment and Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment explained the meaning a commemorative token made from a cross-section of a Cross Deck Pendent once used to trap aircraft landing on an aircraft carrier. Afterward, Rear Admiral Donald Gaddis, Commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division presented them to the five university officials representing the university in implementing the partnership program.
VIRIN 100128-N-6950L-002 Photo by: Jules Lewyckyj.