Florida Legislature Recognizes Embry-Riddle for 100 Years of Aviation and Aerospace Excellence

Legislators in Tallahassee have honored Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Centennial by adopting a resolution recognizing the university’s outstanding contributions to aviation and aerospace in the state of Florida, across the nation and around the world.

The resolution, which declared Feb 11, 2026, as “Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Day at the Capitol,” was presented by Sen. Tom Leek, Rep. Chase Tramont and Sen. Tom Wright, whose districts include parts of Volusia County, home to Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus.

The congressmen announced the resolution in their respective chambers, recognizing Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., and other guests, including students who are part of the university's Student Government Association. 

Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler with Florida State Rep. Chase Tramont

“This is a momentous occasion for the university in its centennial year,” Butler said. “We are honored to receive this recognition from our great state officials, and we thank Senator Leek, Representative Tramont and Senator Wright for this distinguished tribute. We could not be more proud as our faculty, partners and especially our students chart a bold course into the next century as the newest generation of leaders and explorers.”

Mori Hosseini, chairman of the Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees, expressed his deep appreciation to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for this honor and recognition.

 “Over the past 100 years, Embry-Riddle has transformed into a dynamic institution where academia, technology, industry and the future of aviation and aerospace development meet,” Hosseini said. “The support of the state of Florida has been essential in strengthening Embry-Riddle’s role as the global leader in aviation and aerospace education, ensuring that our university is uniquely positioned to serve our students, our community and our great state as a leader in higher education, technological progress and economic growth.”

The resolution notes Embry-Riddle’s “transformative impact on the aerospace and aviation industries, and its unwavering dedication to excellence in education, research and innovation.”

Leek offered his recognition for the tremendous influence of Embry-Riddle and the institution’s 100 years of leadership in advancing aviation and aerospace technology for the state, nation and the world.

“The university’s longstanding commitment to academia, along with their contributions to the economic growth of state of Florida, have ensured that thousands of alumni have opportunities to live, work and thrive here,” Leek said. “We applaud Embry-Riddle’s vital support in attracting international partners to our region and look forward their ongoing impact to innovation in the state for generations to come.”

The resolution details Embry-Riddle’s history and accomplishments over the past 100 years, from its founding in 1926 and move to the Daytona Beach Campus in 1965 to offering more than 100 degree programs, ranging from associate to doctoral levels. Other notable successes include its record-breaking enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year and the university’s more than $2.2 billion annual impact on the state’s economy, including the creation of more than 220 high-wage jobs and the attraction of $146 million in grants and equity investments since 2017. The resolution also highlights that Embry-Riddle counts more than 160,000 alumni, including 10 astronauts and 12 four-star generals and admirals.

“Embry-Riddle has educated generations of technicians, pilots and controllers who keep airline passengers safe, and it has guided the trajectory of our space program at Cape Canaveral and around the world,” Tramont said. “The university has inspired scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs who fuel industries while partnering with the state of Florida to create high-paying jobs and strengthen our role as the global leader in the aviation and aerospace economy. The work underway at Embry-Riddle is transformational, and we commend the university for a century of contributions to the community, region and to our great state.”

Florida State Sen. Tom Wright (center) stands with students who are part of Embry-Riddle’s Student Government Association.

Additionally, the resolution lauds Embry-Riddle’s expanding Research Park, including the opening of the Boeing Engineering Center in the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology and the debut of the first U.S. facility for French aircraft designer AURA AERO. It also notes that Embry-Riddle is making space history, with EagleCam becoming the first student-led project to land on the moon and the LLAMAS camera capturing images of Polaris Dawn crew before the world’s first commercial spacewalk.

“With a century of aviation and aerospace experience, Embry-Riddle is poised to reimagine the future of our skies,” said Wright. “This includes positioning the state as a leader in advanced air mobility aircraft and drone technology, strengthening aviation and aerospace cybersecurity, developing instruments bound for new frontiers, and furthering an innovation ecosystem at its Research Park, which attracts partners from cutting-edge start-ups to global industry leaders. I have no doubt Embry-Riddle’s next century of breakthroughs and graduates will position Florida — and the nation — at the forefront of this new era for aviation and space exploration.”