CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University celebrated the graduation of 10 students from its Agricultural Aviation Operations Career Pathway program during a certification ceremony May 14 on the university’s campus.
The ceremony, held in the multipurpose room of the Young-Mauldin Dining Hall, recognized students who completed the workforce development program designed to prepare agricultural aviation professionals for careers in Mississippi’s farming industry.
Joseph Childs, dean of Delta State’s College of Business and Aviation, welcomed graduates and guests, while Brett Morgan of Prayers for Pilots delivered the invocation.
Bill Crump, regional representative for U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, shared a congratulatory video message from the senator, who praised the program’s role in supporting agriculture in Mississippi and across the nation.
“Agricultural aviation plays a critical role in supporting our farmers and sustaining the very foundation of our economy,” Hyde-Smith said in the video. “What we’ve built and continue to grow here at Delta State is a model, not just for Mississippi, but for the nation.”
Hyde-Smith also highlighted Delta State’s leadership in aviation education, noting the importance of training skilled agricultural pilots to support farmers.
Crump followed with remarks of his own, calling the program “the only one of its kind in the whole nation” and a point of pride for the university and state.
Ike Brunetti, president of Delta Regional Agricultural Flight Training, or DRAFT, LLC, credited Delta State leadership for its commitment to developing the next generation of agricultural pilots.
“I’m so grateful that the university has allowed me to be a part of this program,” Brunetti said. “It is an honor and a privilege.”
Certificates were presented by Dr. Leslie Griffin, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Marshal Tomlinson, director of flight operations.
Mitzi Woods of the South Delta Planning and Development District also presented graduates with flight helmets purchased through the organization’s support of the program.
Two students received scholarships recognizing excellence in the program. Levi Gee was awarded the William Austin Scrogin Agricultural Aviation Scholarship, while Morgan Cotton received the Connor Lang Agricultural Aviation Scholarship.
Delta State developed the Agricultural Aviation Operations Career Pathway program to address the growing demand for qualified agricultural aviation professionals while supporting Mississippi’s agricultural economy through specialized training and industry partnerships.
The newly certified pilots are Austin Ard of Cleveland; Morgan Cotton of Greenville; Jeffery Croom of Donaldsonville, Texas; Michael Derr of Skidmore, Missouri; August Ganchiff of Chicago; Levi Gee of Sledge; Kolby Nelson of Independence; Garrett Stanfield of Batesville, Arkansas; Christian Wagner of Cleveland; and Ja’Den Williams of Cleveland.
