An F-18 Hornet tipped its wing in greeting over the TCU Campus Commons before Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 roared back past on its way home to nearby Naval Air Joint Reserve Base. It was the perfect punctuation mark in celebrating the TCU College of Education’s first year of its professional aviation program.

Thirteen students are already in enrolled in the program, offering a four-year professional degree with access to hands-on, real-world training to work in the modern aviation world. 

“There’s nothing bigger than aviation right now, and we need this program now and into the future,” said Robert Isom, American Airlines chief executive officer, who came to thank TCU for making the program a reality. “At American, we think about the needs we have now and the needs we have in the future. Our success depends on people, as we’re people serving people. We need all kinds of talent, and this TCU program is going to give these 13 students those skills, talents and careers, and it’s just going to continue to grow and grow.” 

American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, is merely a part of the aviation and defense hub that has existed in the city for decades, dating back to World War II bomber production and more. This puts Fort Worth, and TCU, in an ideal position, said Mayor Mattie Parker.

“Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a resolution that named Fort Worth the aviation and defense capital of Texas,” she said, citing the Neeley School of Business study that found American Airlines’ DFW Airport operations contribute $70 billion to North Texas’ annual economic output and supports 350,000 jobs. 

“Importantly, and this is one thing TCU does better than most, is recognizing where there is a need to lift up Fort Worth businesses,” Parker said. “TCU continues to innovate and they put this program up quickly.”

At the Aviation’s Next Horizon event on Oct. 27, a panel of industry leaders discussed the diversity of jobs available and how universities like TCU are stepping up to the challenge of training the next generation of aviation leaders. 

“What’s important to us is finding talented individuals who want to make a difference,” said José Freig, vice president, international operations for American Airlines. “This is a people business, and independent of technology, there’s always going to be a need for people. If you want to make a difference in a complex environment, think about it.”

He spoke passionately to the aviation students who were surrounded by members of the Fort Worth business and aviation community, along with fellow panelist and colleague Grant Morris, vice president, flight operations and chief pilot for Southwest Airlines.

“Even though this is work, it doesn’t feel like work,” Morris said. “Find something that you’re passionate about. We’re looking for people who are creative, who can analyze data so that we can be much more predictive and efficient about our performance.”

Chris McLaughlin, CEO of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, emphasized the diversity of fields that fill the aviation industry, starting at the airport, which is the third busiest in the world.

“As we scale DFW over the next couple years into next several decades, it’s important that we have our own team of scientists and engineers who can develop systems that allows us to become less and less dependent on resources that are becoming more and more scarce,” McLaughlin said. “That’s where the partnership with TCU can make a huge difference.”

Robert Allen, chief executive officer for the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, moderated the panel, which all agreed is that every day in the industry is different – and that once aviation is in the students’ blood, it’s a business they will love. Floyd Wormley, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said TCU is in a prime position to contribute.

“Today is a celebration as TCU has an opportunity to be part of something very distinctive and also great,” he said. “Fort Worth is at the epicenter of one of the most dynamic aviation centers in the country, and we have an opportunity to educate the talented professionals who will lead it into the future.”

-Susan Green