Ernie Raff Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Purpose
To honor the memory of Ernest “Ernie” Albert Raff, a 1980 graduate of the University’s professional pilot training program in the Aviation and Aerospace Science Department, by providing financial assistance to students with great aptitude and enthusiasm for flying. Ernie’s parents, Albert and Eileen Raff, established the scholarship in memory of their son and to assist students who best exemplify Ernie’s passion for flying. On November 12, 1982, Ernie Raff died in an air crash at the age of 23. The aviation and aerospace science faculty knew Ernie as an enthusiastic and well-liked student who was always ready to help other students and share his knowledge and love of flying. He taught ground and instrument flying and earned a Gold Seal flight instructor’s rating because 90 percent of his students passed the FAA test the first time. He was an air transport pilot for Denver Charters Inc. Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Ernie Raff attended George Washington School until fourth grade, and then transferred to Peck School, where he was captain of the football team. He attended Newark Academy, Livingston N.J., where he was active in sports and captain of the baseball team when it won the New Jersey private school championship. As a senior project at Newark Academy, Mr. Raff learned to fly solo and earned his private license at Morristown Airport when he was 17.

Criteria
• Be an aviation and aerospace science major
• Have completed 60 or more credit hours
• Exhibit the greatest practical aptitude and enthusiasm for flying
• Not be selected on the basis of grades or need as prime consideration

A minimum of two students shall be selected.