Vaughn Forward: A Legacy of Hope

Vaughn Forward: A Legacy of Hope
The Daniel Turner Memorial Scholarship

On Tuesday, December 15 Vaughn held the Legacy of Hope Scholarship event which featured aviation industry leaders such as Mary-Ellen Jones, Vice President Asia-Pacific Sales at Pratt & Whitney, Nick Calio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Airlines for America, Gary Spulak, President of Embraer Aircraft and Bobbi Wells, Vice President at FedEx, who spoke about the future of aviation and shared why institutions like Vaughn College are critical to preparing the future leaders of aviation and aerospace, especially in this difficult time.

The event also recognized and celebrated Daniel Turner, a student pilot whose family has recently founded a scholarship in his name, to support Black students in need, and to honor his legacy. Turner was the finest example of a Vaughn student who understands the hard work involved in making dreams a reality.

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Daniel's Story

Daniel Turner was a sophomore at Vaughn College and among the first group of students selected for the Redbird flight training program with our partner Redbird Skyport in San Marcos, Texas. He had received his private pilot’s license and instrument rating, and was working on his next rating, the commercial certificate, when he unexpectedly passed away on a day off while engaged in recreational activity.

Turner was the finest example of a Vaughn student who understands the hard work involved in making your dream a reality. He is greatly missed by all those on campus who knew him, especially his professors and fellow flight training students.

Daniel’s family and friends have been working closely with the College to set up The Daniel Turner Scholarship fund that will benefit future Black students that are pursuing their dream of becoming a commercial pilot. We all will come together to celebrate Daniel and his legacy will live on by benefitting similar students that embody his same drive and success.