Three Polytechnic aviation students earn ISTAT scholarships

International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading Foundation

Three students in Purdue Polytechnic’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) have been named recipients of 2022 scholarships from the ISTAT (International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading) Foundation. Romulo Gutierrez, senior in aeronautical engineering technology, Divya Nittur, senior in aviation management, aerospace financial analysis and business communications, and Alexander Paskill, senior in aviation management, will each be awarded $15,000 to $20,000.

The ISTAT Foundation works to support programs that foster interest in, create opportunities for, and provide assistance to the global aviation community. The foundation’s scholarship program supports that goal by providing financial support to academically qualified students.

Yi Gao, associate professor of aviation technology, worked with colleagues and alumni last year to begin a collaboration with ISTAT. In 2021, two graduate students in aviation and aerospace management and an undergraduate student majoring in unmanned aerial systems were Purdue’s ISTAT scholarship recipients.

Earlier this year, Gao encouraged students in the Polytechnic’s aviation-related programs to apply for the scholarship. He invited alumni and ISTAT ambassadors to offer information sessions for students, helped to polish drafts of students’ scholarship applications, and ensured that applications were submitted before the due date.

“Considering the strong competition that exists among global institutions for ISTAT scholarships, this represents a huge success for our students,” said Gao. “We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with ISTAT.”

Connor Duchen (BS aviation technology & finance ’17) and Katie Minarik (BS aeronautical engineering technology ’18, MS aviation and aerospace management ’19) both served as ISTAT ambassadors. Duchen and Minarik “contributed enormously to our program,” Gao said.

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