Students From Around the World Gather for ERAU's European Commencement
Graduates joined government partners and university representatives on Sept. 28 for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Europe commencement ceremony at the House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM) in Frankfurt, Germany.
More than 130 students received degrees through Embry-Riddle Worldwide U.S. Military in Europe from July 2023 to September 2024. Fifty-three of them attended the 2024 celebration at HOLM. The venue — which aims to connect transportation stakeholders by providing support to companies, universities, associations, and start-ups — is located in Gateway Gardens, a growing campus-style business park near the Frankfurt International Airport.
The celebration included a reception with an Alumni/Career Services information table, as well as a guest appearance from Ernie the Eagle. Undergraduate degrees were awarded in Aeronautics, Aviation Business Administration, Aviation Maintenance, Communications, Interdisciplinary Studies, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Technical Management, and Safety Management. Master’s degrees were awarded in Aeronautics, Business Administration, Cybersecurity, Emergency Services, Engineering Management, Human Security & Resilience, Leadership, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Management Information Systems, Occupational Safety Management, Space Operations, Systems Engineering and Uncrewed Systems.
Worldwide Campus Chancellor John R. Watret, Ph.D., FRAeS, opened the ceremony, and Nancy Tran-Horne, executive director of campus operations, welcomed students, families and guests. The platform party also included Dr. Donna Roberts, associate dean for faculty, Dr. Robert Walton, associate professor of Business, and Kerissa Khan, commencement speaker. Meredi Jiloty, director for chancellor operations at the Worldwide Campus, served as the ceremony’s reader, and Kerstin Alicki, Europe Campus director, assisted with the diploma presentation.
More than 130 students received degrees through Embry-Riddle Worldwide’s U.S. Military program in Europe this year. Over 50 students attended a commencement ceremony at the House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM) in Frankfurt, Germany. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Lynde Elise Photography)
“For over 50 years now, Embry-Riddle has been providing exceptional education programs for the U.S. military communities in Europe,” said Tran-Horne. “Our committed graduates now have relevant degrees and skills to take into the aviation and aerospace industries. We are extremely proud of their academic accomplishments, which they earned while working full time and balancing family life. We also thank our government and school partner, the University of Maryland Global Campus, for their continued collaboration, as well as the dedicated campus academic advisors who helped our students through their Embry-Riddle academic journey.”
As commencement speaker, Khan offered the graduates valuable advice on the power of community.
“Your community is the framework that will provide support, stability, security and emotional safety, and that will give you the freedom to explore the many possibilities of your career,” said Kahn, who is a technical expert in complex and integrated aerospace systems, an international speaker and a thought leader in future flight innovation."
The 2023-24 President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Kahn is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Autonomous Mobility and leads innovation for the UK Research and Innovation Future Flight Challenge, a program that aims to position the UK for the third aviation revolution. Her previous roles include the research, design and development of world-leading aerospace systems for a range of military, commercial and business aircraft. Championing sustainability and equity across multiple sectors, Kahn is a founding signatory of the UK Government Defense Aviation Net Zero Strategy Charter, Women in Defense Charter and Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter. Kahn holds a Master of Engineering degree with Honors in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. She was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science for outstanding contributions to leadership, science and technology from Cranfield University in England.
When speaking to students, Kahn emphasized three key principles that helped guide her career.
“I hope your passion will lead you to your purpose and mission. I hope you will embrace the power of community and networks,” Khan said. “I hope you will adapt to changes on your career path and redefine your limits to truly be resilient.”
Chancellor Watret summarized the day’s events, stating: “It was a great commencement ceremony celebrated at the House of Logistics & Mobility (HOLM), a perfect venue to recognize our newest ERAU graduates. The speaker, Ms. Kerissa Kahn, was very dynamic, and provided a strong message to students and guests to identify their passion as it will lead to their purpose. Our global presence continues to grow, and we are very proud to be the primary provider of aviation and aerospace educational programs for the U.S. Military in Europe.”
Embry-Riddle has served overseas U.S. military students since 1973. Learn more about the university’s European military campus operations.