Richard O. Fanjoy, Ph.D., is an associate professor and associate head for graduate studies in the Department of Aviation Technology at Purdue University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Penn State University, his master’s degree in industrial management from Central Michigan University, and his doctorate in educational psychology from Purdue.
Fanjoy’s principal teaching areas are air transportation, aircraft operations, advanced aircraft systems and instrumentation, principles of high performance flight, human factors and research methods. His research agenda addresses human factors in flight training and aviation safety. He is the author of numerous journal articles and professional presentations in those areas.
Recognized as an outstanding tenured faculty member in the College of Technology, he has received the University Aviation Association’s Sorenson Award for excellence in research and scholarship. He has more than 30 years experience as a pilot and flight examiner of large jet transport aircraft in both domestic and international flight operations, and he retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of colonel.
"Working with graduate students provides me with an opportunity to share my aviation and career experience with young students who are preparing for their first job as well as working professionals who are looking for an advanced educational experience," Fanjoy says. "I find that the shared classroom discussion, whether online or on campus, greatly enriches the educational experience for students and faculty. Our current online graduate program in aviation and aerospace management provides an educational experience that is far in advance of graduate programs that I experienced as a college student, and the quality of the faculty that teach our courses in this program is excellent. I highly recommend this program to all of my professional contacts in the aviation industry."
Fanjoy lives in West Lafayette, Indiana, with his wife, and they are the parents of three sons who are working professionals.