Prescott Campus Re-Dedicates Wind Tunnel to Nancy and Tracy Doryland

“The Dorylands became surrogate parents for many Embry-Riddle students,” said Peg Billson, Aeronautical Engineering graduate of 1984. “Their guidance and stability made a difference to generations of aspiring engineers as they became productive citizens. The Dorylands continue to be very special people in the lives of those lucky students whom they have mentored.”

“We had [students] over for dinner, and we had them over for all kinds of stuff, because that’s just what we felt we should do,” said Tracy Doryland after the ceremony. “It was a really small campus, very personal—and by the time they graduated, most of these kids that you met were my friends. And still are.”

Aerospace Engineering graduate of 1986, Pantelis Vassiliou, has also established the Nancy and Tracy Doryland Aerospace Engineering Faculty Support Endowment in honor of the Dorylands. Pantelis further offered to match any gift given by others wishing to contribute up to a total of $50,000 a year over the next three years. The endowment will support both current and future aerospace engineering students.

“Any of you who have been married a long time knows that you don’t do things on your own,” Doryland continued. “Without her love and support and encouragement I couldn’t have done anything that I did here, and in my life. I just thought that because Nancy’s name was not on the tunnel with mine that it should be. So thank you.”

“I just can’t believe it, thank you all,” added Nancy Doryland after the unveiling. “Thank all of you for your love and your care over the years. It was wonderful of you all to do this, thank you."