Durbin Joins Effort to Bring Embry-Riddle to Rockford
Invites President to meet with Illinois Delegation in Washington
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the President of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, John Johnson, to select Rockford, Illinois as the location for the university’s new campus. Durbin also invited Johnson to meet with members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. in order to further discuss the potential for this partnership.
“Rockford is the best place for you to expand your presence in the Midwest,” Durbin wrote. “Rockford is home to a robust aerospace industry and has a highly skilled workforce in place to complement your educational program. Rockford has over seven times the U.S. average transportation manufacturing, technical & engineering talent. Rockford’s businesses, workforce and long history in leading the country in manufacturing and aerospace makes it the right place to bring your new campus.”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private, non-profit, coeducational university. The university offers non-degree programs, associates, bachelors, masters and PhD degrees in Aviation and in Engineering Physics. Embry-Riddle’s two Air Force ROTC detachments form the largest university-based Air Force commissioning source in the nation. On August 31, ERAU announced Rockford as a finalist for a third residential campus. The campus will begin with about 1,000 students and 250 administration and faculty and likely include: aerospace-oriented research & development labs; professional flight training; flight maintenance training; and academies in area high schools.
Text of the letter appears below:
September 15, 2010
John Johnson, Ph.D.
President
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
600 S. Clyde Morris Boulevard
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Dear Dr. Johnson:
I understand that Rockford, Illinois, is a finalist to house a new residential campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I am writing to urge you to recommend Rockford and the Chicago Rockford International Airport as the new home for Embry-Riddle.
The outpouring of public support in Rockford for this plan demonstrates the tremendous enthusiasm and commitment of Rockford’s citizens, leaders, schools, and businesses. Rockford is a world-class city, and I believe that a partnership between Rockford and Embry-Riddle would be mutually beneficial.
You are already aware of the benefits of locating a campus in the Rockford area because of your existing partnerships with Northern Illinois University, Rock Valley College, and the region’s aerospace industry. The Rockford area is also home to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). The Illinois delegation has made a longstanding commitment to this airport, including providing millions of capital dollars to upgrade and promote the airport. These investments have helped propel Rockford airport to become the nation’s 19th largest cargo airport with tremendous potential for growth. More than 8.4 million people live within 90 minutes of RFD.
Embry-Riddle is educating our nation’s next generation of pilots and aerospace professionals, but your university does not yet have a presence in the Midwest. Rockford is the best place for you to expand your presence in the Midwest. Rockford is home to a robust aerospace industry and has a highly skilled workforce in place to complement your educational program. Rockford has over seven times the U.S. average transportation manufacturing, technical & engineering talent. Rockford’s businesses, workforce and long history in leading the country in manufacturing and aerospace makes it the right place to bring your new campus.
I ask you to select Rockford as the location for your new campus. I also would like to invite you to meet with me and other members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C., in the near future so that we can further discuss the potential for this partnership.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
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