MTSU Aerospace returns home after navigating EAA AirVenture aviation showcase

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Aerospace wrapped up Sunday a weeklong opportunity at the massive 2025 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, representing the university at the world’s largest aviation experience and spending time with industry leaders and prospective employers.

Held July 21-27, the event attracted almost 700,000 people and 10,000-plus aircraft. MTSU, a mainstay each year at EAA, brought one of its Diamond Aircraft DA-40 from its training fleet for display at a tent near the EAA flight line at Pittman Regional Airport, which during AirVenture becomes the world’s busiest.

“We have one of the leading collegiate aviation programs in the nation,” Provost Mark Byrnes said in an interview with Oshkosh Live, a livestreamed TV show produced by Flying Magazine from AirVenture. “So, we want to have a big presence at EAA … primarily to give our students, flight instructors and faculty a chance to interact with people from around the world in aviation.”

Representatives from the Aerospace Department at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., pose for a photo with a group of high school students and their bags of MTSU swag after they visited the university’s exhibition and information tent set up at the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. MTSU Aerospace returned to the event with a delegation of faculty, staff and students to showcase the aerospace program. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Byrnes and Greg Van Patten, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, led a team of students, faculty and staff at this year’s AirVenture. They huddled with several of MTSU’s aviation partners and vendors, including Diamond, whose 38 aircraft make up the bulk of MTSU’s training fleet. They also connected with Piper and Cirrus aircraft companies, whose planes are also flown by MTSU. Other highlights included:

• Meeting with leaders with Delta and Southwest, both of whom have flight training partnerships with MTSU Aerospace that allow students to have fast tracks to jobs at the national air carriers upon graduation.

• Thanking Endeavor Air, a top employer of Aerospace pro-pilot graduates and part of the Delta network, for its continued support of MTSU.

A host of Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace alumni attend a university-hosted barbecue on site at the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. MTSU Aerospace returned to the event with a delegation of faculty, staff and students to showcase the aerospace program, reconnect with alums and network with industry leaders. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

• Hosting an annual BBQ on the event grounds last Wednesday, which attracted about 60 alumni, partners and supporters.

• Participating in a guided tour by Civil Air Patrol Commanding General Regena Aye of the Air Force auxiliary’s base at EAA, which supported about 200 of its members providing flight line and operational services for AirVenture. CAP and MTSU have been aerospace education partners since 2014.

Civil Air Patrol Commanding General Regena Aye, left, takes Middle Tennessee State University Basic and Applied Sciences Dean Greg Van Patten, center, and a small group of university representatives on a tour of the Air Force auxiliary’s base during the MTSU Aerospace Department’s visit to the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Nate Callender, right, MTSU Aerospace Department associate chair and professor, and professor Collin McDonald, left, give a special presentation hosted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, “Maximizing Engine-Out Glide Performance,” during the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. Their presentation was based on a 2023 paper that Callender wrote for Collegiate Aviation Review International, published by the University Aviation Association. (MTSU photo by Mark Byrnes)

Also at AirVenture, Nate Callender, MTSU Aerospace associate chair and professor, and professor Collin McDonald were featured in a special presentation hosted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, “Maximizing Engine-Out Glide Performance,” based on a 2023 paper that Callender wrote for Collegiate Aviation Review International, published by the University Aviation Association.

And MTSU Aerospace was also featured three times on Oskhosh Live, featuring Byrnes, pro-pilot junior Jonathan Quinby and recent pro-pilot and flight dispatch graduate and current flight instructor Hailey Harrison. Quinby and Harrison shared with viewers their experiences at MTSU and their love of aviation.

“I kind of caught that aviation bug that so many other people around Oshkosh here have,” Quinby said during an Oshkosh Live segment filmed at the MTSU tent. “I lived in Murfreesboro pretty much for my entire life, and having a school like this in my backyard after catching this bug kind of seemed like a perfect fit to attend this great university.”

Said Harrison, in her interview, “I chose MTSU because… (it was) very affordable, and also very prestigious as well. Really great flight program.”

Greg Van Patten, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., addresses the crowd of alumni attending a university-hosted barbecue on site at the 72nd EAA AirVenture aviation showcase held July 21-27 in Oshkosh, Wis. MTSU Aerospace returned to the event with a delegation of faculty, staff and students to showcase the aerospace program, reconnect with alums and network with industry leaders. (MTSU photo by Andrew Oppmann)

Van Patten, speaking at Wednesday’s BBQ event, thanked the crowd for their support, not only for Aerospace but for the entire university. You can see a video of his remarks here: https://youtu.be/t7M65FZFFnk.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm and continued support we see from our alumni, from our friends and from our partners,” he said. “We are building great innovative programs and doing it with your help.”

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)