Flying High

Posted on June 22, 2009 - Permalink
Audiences: Alumni Current Students Faculty and Staff HomePage Research Trustees

Suzanne Winston, '09, was recently honored with a Meritorious Service Award from the Federal Aviation Administration for her outstanding performance as an intern with the organization.

Ms. Winston, who hails from Norwalk, Conn., is an aviation science major, and earned the award during her internship in the FAA's Aviation and Space Education Program (AVSED) last semester.

In presenting the award, FAA representatives noted Ms. Winston's "incredible capacity for professionalism and her knowledge of the aviation/aerospace fields."

Ms. Winston was one of two award recipients. This was the first time in its history the FAA has presented the service award to more than one intern.

In a press statement, the FAA wrote of both interns: "This award reflects very highly on them as individuals and their respective institutions. They have represented these institutions very well, and have exceptionally bright futures ahead of them."

Indeed, the future looks promising for Ms. Winston, a native of Norwalk, Conn. She is now working as a flight scheduler for a charter airline in Connecticut, checking for plane and pilot availability, scheduling flights and ensuring safe travel, among other things.

Ms. Winston earned her current position thanks in part to her time at the internship and at BSC.

"I learned the day-to-day operations of the FAA, and without this incredible internship that wouldn't have happened," she said. "My classroom experience taught me to think independently and gave me the confidence to pursue a career in aviation." (Story by Karen Booth, Institutional Communications, photo submitted)

Photo caption:
At the awards ceremony from left to right were: Julie Ann Seltsam-Wilps, FAA aviation education program manager for the New England region; Suzanne Winston; Greg Bongiorno, BSC's manager of aviation affairs; and Jim Brough, National AVSED program manager.