Elizabeth City, N.C. — Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is soaring to new heights in aviation education, thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Friedrich family to establish the Aviation Speaker Series.
Announced during last week’s quarterly board meeting, the series aims to inspire students and connect them with leaders across the aviation industry. Each quarter, the program will feature renowned speakers discussing critical topics in aviation.
ECSU Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds praised the Friedrich family’s investment, noting its alignment with the university’s commitment and strategic focus on providing students with enriched educational experiences that bridge academic learning and real-world practices.
"We are deeply grateful to the Friedrich family for this generous donation, which will have a profound impact on the lives of our students," said Edmonds. “This gift reflects a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders in aviation. By providing our students with exposure to industry-specific conversations and opportunities, we are ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed academically and in their future careers.”
The Aviation Speaker Series is designed to give students insights into key aviation sectors while fostering workforce development. In addition to lectures, each session will feature interactive Q&A opportunities, private networking receptions, and photo sessions with guest speakers.
“This series is more than lectures—it’s a pipeline to success for our students,” said Kevin Wade, vice chancellor for student affairs and interim vice chancellor for university advancement, who spearheaded the development of the program and shared its vision during the meeting.
Proposed topics include:
- Airline pilot training and career pathways
- The future of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Women in aviation leadership
- Sustainable aviation and environmental impact
- Aviation mechanics and engineering innovations
“It is important to provide as much exposure to all areas of aerospace and aviation,” said Stephen Friedrich, chief commercial officer for Embraer Executive Jets and member of the ECSU board of trustees. “In this way, we hope to enable the students to have broad knowledge of the industry and find inspiration as they look for career opportunities.”
A Lifelong Passion Inspires a Gift
For Friedrich, the family’s aviation roots and personal journey made this initiative a perfect match. “My first memory is being woken up by my father to watch Neil Armstrong step foot on the moon,” he said. “That memory has inspired me for the rest of my life.”
Friedrich’s passion for aviation, rooted in his upbringing near a general aviation airport and early flight lessons, drives his desire to support the next generation of industry leaders. His career has spanned decades in the aerospace and defense industries, beginning in aviation finance and later transitioning to leadership roles at Rolls-Royce. Those experiences deepened his appreciation for the industry’s role in the global economy.
“Joining Rolls-Royce after my banking career enabled me to become far more involved in the aerospace supply chain and allowed me to use my finance background to fundamentally change services in the aftermarket. Seeing all the different aspects of the aerospace industry gave me a great appreciation for the people involved and the vital role aviation plays in transportation and the world economy,” Friedrich said.
Now, Friedrich is channeling that passion into giving to the university to support ECSU’s aviation programs.
A Legacy of Adaptation
Friedrich’s admiration for ECSU extends beyond its aviation program. “ECSU has a wonderful history that showcases numerous admirable qualities,” he said. “Chief among them is the ability of the institution to adapt to the changing needs of the students and the economy.”
The Friedrich family’s gift boosts ECSU’s commitment to workforce development and community engagement. While the series primarily serves Aviation Science majors, sessions will be open to all students and, at times, the public, fostering wider community involvement.
“ECSU embodies so many qualities that we value,” Friedrich said. “We are very pleased to be able to support the university and its aviation program.”
As ECSU continues to soar in aviation education, the Friedrich Family’s investment ensures the next generation of aviation leaders is ready to take flight.