ERAU Sees Record Enrollment

Continuing its streak of new enrollment records with each new term for the past couple of years, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott (ERAU) began classes Jan 11.

Although it was too early for an official number, school administrators say student numbers are well beyond 3,100.

Chancellor Anette Karlsson and her colleagues welcomed students back to campus with a series of “get acquainted and get settled” activities.

“It is the largest spring class ever,” Karlsson said. “It is nice to have all the students back.”

“There’ll soon be lots of students flying over the Quad City area.”

Record 2023 spring follows record 2022 fall

So far, this academic year has been a record-setter all the way. The record-setting enrollment during fall 2022 — 3,265— was complemented by other records during the semester: national championship flight competition winners; named best in nation for five different programs by U.S. News & World Report; and some other first-in-nation, student-oriented academic programs such as cybersecurity, aviation and business.

The semester ended with a recordbreaking fall commencement class of 271 students. Also recognized were 13 students commissioned into the U.S. military: 10 Air Force ROTC and three Army cadets.

Karlsson praised the students involved.

“Commencement represents two important milestones for graduates,” she said. "First is the culmination of all the dedication and hard work they put in over the years. The second is the beginning of what is sure to be a promising career bringing critical skills to the areas of aviation, aerospace, cybersecurity and the other fields for which our Eagle graduates are eminently qualified.”

ERAU President P. Barry Butler from the Dayton Beach, Fla., campus, told the graduating students: “Wherever you go, remember that you are ER Eagles. For you, the sky will never be the limit.”

Stories by Ray Newton