Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Saint Francis University Opens Aviation Education Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/05/24

Saint Francis University in Loretto, Penn., recently held a Blessing and Dedication ceremony for its new Aviation Education Center at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, according to a news release. The building’s opening coincides with the inaugural year of the university’s FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program. The program’s goal is to boost regional workforce development in the aviation vertical.

“The FAA certification and this state-of-the-art facility represent significant achievements for both Saint Francis University and the regional community,” said university president Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, TOR. “We are eager to support critical workforce development through our partnerships and the Aviation Education Center.”

The Aviation Education Center will play home to the school’s aviation education and training programs. The new AMT program is the only FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school in the county, the news release reports, and addresses the local and national need for maintenance workers.

Local news reports that the space currently provides a hangar converted into a classroom, a single-propeller aircraft, and a 1,500-pound CF34 jet engine. Funding came from a $500,000 state grant, $1 million in Appalachian Regional Commission funds, and $70,000 from Cambria County for the facility’s structural needs.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • Abstract tech network data connections with orange, blue glowing dots, lines

    3 Trends for Higher Education to Stay Ahead of in 2026

    As universities enter the new year, the question is no longer whether digital transformation is necessary, but how quickly institutions can convert technological potential into strategic advantage.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

Digital Edition