Purdue Polytechnic’s Indianapolis location, strategically situated at the Indianapolis International Airport’s Aviation Technology Center, celebrated the achievements of its Spring 2025 graduating class on Sunday, May 11. The commencement ceremony, held at 2:00 p.m. in the Aviation Technology Center, honored 11 graduates, all of whom participated in the event.
The event featured a keynote address by Ryan A. Lynch, Founder of the NAYR Foundation/Indiana ACE Academy and a Commercial Airline Pilot with Republic Airways. His insights from the aviation industry provided an inspiring message for the new graduates embarking on their careers.
The ceremony commenced with a processional and the presentation of colors by the Weir Cook Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, followed by the Star-Spangled Banner. Michael D. Gehrich, Interim Dean of the College of Technology & Director of Aviation at Vincennes University (which the Indianapolis location has a longstanding partnership with), delivered the invocation.
Brian G. Dillman, Head of the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology and Associate Professor at Purdue, provided the welcome and introductory remarks. Zachary P. Cooper, a Bachelor of Science recipient in Aeronautical Technology, delivered the class response, reflecting on the graduates' journey.
Degrees were conferred by Dillman, with Assistant Professor of Practice Ryan P. Reeves presenting the class. Desiree J. Cochran, Student Affairs Administrator, introduced the graduates. Sara Nash, President of Purdue Alumni of Indianapolis, officially welcomed the new alumni into the Purdue network. Dillman also offered closing remarks.
The 11 graduates primarily received Bachelor of Science degrees in Aeronautical Technology. Purdue Polytechnic, with its rich history dating back to the late 1870s and formal organization in 1964, emphasizes applied learning and prepares graduates for immediate employment in business, industry and service agencies. The Indianapolis site is one of nine Purdue Polytechnic statewide locations across Indiana, delivering programs tailored to local community needs.
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