The fourth annual Vaughn College Gala was held on Thursday, November 9 in the William R. DeCota Hangar on the College’s main campus. Gary J. Spulak, president of Embraer Aircraft Holding Incorporated was the honoree.

The Gala is an opportunity for professionals in the industries the College serves to connect with students, faculty and staff and learn how they can help support the Vaughn community. Donations were encouraged through a silent auction and a “text-to-give” feature, which directly benefited the Vaughn College Student Experience Fund, developed to help sponsor students’ off-campus experiences. Proceeds from the Gala will be used to fund scholarships and institutional priorities.

NBC 4 reporter and anchor Stefan Holt served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Attendees were shown a video highlighting the outstanding academic and professional achievements of nine Vaughn students, followed by speeches from Thomas J. McKee, chair of the Vaughn College Board of Trustees, Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo and Honoree Gary J. Spulak.

“Each of the young citizens of aviation that walk your halls and in this hangar become inspired by your professors, mentors and leaders, and by your commitment and dedication to changing our industry, ensuring its perpetuity and ultimately changing the world, one student at a time,” said Spulak. “We are grateful to Vaughn for furthering our workforce, and for inspiring a new generation to join us.”

Embraer donated an air cycle machine for students to service and troubleshoot in the airframe curriculum and an Embraer legacy 500 mock-up visibility learning tool for Vaughn College’s airframe and power plant program.

“Gary and Embraer have been so generous in their support of Vaughn College and have a strong commitment to aviation education, internships and career opportunity,” said DeVivo. “We are deeply appreciative of their generous sponsorship and equipment donations which will directly benefit students in our aviation maintenance programs.”

Vaughn will hold its next fundraising gala on Thursday, November 8, 2018. To see Vaughn students in this years gala video, click here.

(Patti Spulak; Tom Spulak, partner at King & Spalding; Alyssa Ten Eyck, director of Corporate Communications, Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc.; Gary J. Spulak, president of Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc. and Gala honoree; Mary Spulak)