AUGUSTA (AP) — The University of Maine at Augusta graduated the first student of the college’s recently established aviation program over the weekend.
The Kennebec Journal reports next year will bring the program’s first-ever graduating class, but 22-year-old Ben Rogers had the distinction of becoming the first to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation from UMA on Saturday.
The program began three years ago when former president Allyson Handley entered a private-public partnership with Maine Instrument Flight at the Augusta State Airport.
Students receive private pilot training, instrument rating and commercial training during the four-year program in addition to graduating with the ability to become an instructor.
Rogers plans to enroll in the Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School in September, where he hopes to fly C- 130 tankers or fighter jets.
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