Book launch and signing event for UND Aerospace Dean Bruce Smith set for Oct. 8

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

10-3-2014

Campus Unit

John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Abstract

"Nowhere But North Dakota" showcases remarkable history of the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

WHO:Bruce Smith, dean and professor of aviation, University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences (UND Aerospace) WHAT: Book launch and signing event for "Nowhere But North Dakota: Clear Skies and Open Airspace," Smith's look at the history of the UND Aerospace. WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 5-7 p.m. WHERE:UND Alumni Association & Foundation, Gorecki Alumni Center

Details: Dr. Bruce Smith, dean and professor of aviation, UND Aerospace, a 1970 UND graduate, earned a Ph.D. in instructional design and development from Florida State University in 1984 and a Master of Arts in educational technology from Arizona State University in 1975. While at UND, he was named an NCAA football All American. As Director of Training at Delta Airlines in Atlanta, GA. He was responsible for ground training of Delta's pilots, initial recruitment and training of flight attendants, and a major portion of maintenance training for technical operations and management of day to day operations of Delta's training center.

Smith is nationally known and recognized as a leading authority in the aviation training field. He is the author of more than 40 technical reports and refereed journal articles in the areas of human performance, aviation training, and aircrew training systems. He spent eight years as a flight instructor with the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. and USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, AZ.

Smith recently finished a new book titled "Nowhere But North Dakota," a history of UND Aerospace that picks up where "Flight of the Odegard" left off. Founded in 1968 by John D. Odegard, UND Aerospace, the school grew into one of the world's leading aerospace training, education, and research centers, now also at the forefront of unmanned aircraft systems. Smith, who took over as dean in 2000, describes in "Nowhere But North Dakota" his efforts to expand academic programs, secure significantly enhanced technology for training, education, and research, and attract students from around the globe, including government contracts with China, Japan, Norway, and Saudia Arabia, among others.

As Smith notes, UND Aerospace is a lot more than airplanes—Smith's book chronicles the school's efforts to expand its high tech programming and research in atmospheric sciences, space studies, computer science, and earth system science—all aimed at meeting the country's needs for a greener environment, more effective climate policy, and superior training for future pilots, air traffic controllers, and more.

Smith also details more offbeat challenges in his years as dean: he explains in the book how fingernail polish got him to a championship football game; how a forced landing earned a farmer tickets to a hockey game; and how a change in aircraft tail number led to an anxious moment with a major benefactor.

About UND Aerospace The John D. Odegard School Of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota is a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for its achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric research, space studies, and computer science applications. With more than 500 faculty and staff members, more than 1,500 students from around the world, and myriad programs and projects, the Odegard School is setting the pace for the future of flight. The School operates the world's largest non-military aviation training fleet.

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