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ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø Director of Flight Operations Laura Laster has been named the winner of the Women in Aviation International (WAI) 2015 Management Award and scholarship. She will attend the WAI conference in March to receive her award.

"While we have long known we have excellent faculty, we are pleased to see others recognize our faculty for their contributions to the aviation profession," said LETU Dean of Aviation and Aeronautical Science Fred Ritchey. "This is the second time in only a few years that one of our faculty members have been honored by Women In Aviation."

Laster was named director of LETU flight operation s in September 2013. She oversees all university flight operations, including managing the university's flight training activities, planning and coordinating all flight instruction and supervision the school's 11 flight instructors. She also serves on the dean's leadership team for the School of Aviation and Aeronautical Science.

Laster earned her Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science with the Flight Management Concentration from ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø in 2004, graduating summa cum laude, before working as a flight instructor at the school. In 2010, she earned her aircraft dispatcher certificate from Sheffield School of Aeronautics in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Prior to returning to LETU in 2011, Laster worked for Dynamic Aviation, beginning her career there as a King Air 90/200 pilot before advancing to airborne data acquisition manager, leading a team of pilots conducting diverse aerial survey operations worldwide. She was promoted to system operations manager for a new airline initiative, where she was an integral part of the air carrier's certification project team. In this role, she led the dispatch team through the initial FAA certification process, setting up the airline's system operations control center.

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø is a comprehensive institution of Christ-centered higher education where educators engage students to integrate their faith and work, and serve the local and global community. LETU offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aviation, arts & sciences, business, education, engineering and nursing. Claiming every workplace in every nation as their mission field, ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø graduates are professionals of ingenuity and Christ-like character who see life's work as a holy calling with eternal impact. For additional information, visit www.letu.edu.