Dawit Lemma, founder and CEO of Krimson Aviation and a 2002 graduate from Purdue’s aeronautical engineering technology and flight technology programs, launched the $100,000 Krimson Aviation Scholarship and the Krimson Business Opportunity Program Scholarship for students from minority groups under-represented in aviation.

Three students in Purdue University’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology earned scholarships from the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading Foundation totaling $33,000. The scholarship recipients are Pratik Jadhav and Parth Mehta, both graduate students in aviation and aerospace management, and Branden Gallimore, senior in aviation management.

Mike Leasure, associate professor of aviation technology, has been appointed coordinator of unmanned aerial systems for Purdue University’s new FAA certificate of authorization (COA) for agriculture. A COA approved the use of airspace for the flight of registered unmanned aircraft.

The new unmanned aerial systems major at Purdue will help students examine the entire system surrounding the unmanned aerial industry, including design, operations, sensors, commerce and policy.