LATROBE, PA – Velocity R Aviation Foundation recently announced the creation of a $2,500 John H. Sherrod Memorial Scholarship available to a Saint Vincent College rising sophomore or higher student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management – Professional Pilot program.
“Saint Vincent Aviation Management students are blessed by the generosity of Captain (Bill) Sherrod,” said Dr. Michael Urick, C’04, dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government at Saint Vincent College. “This is such an amazing way to honor his father's passion for flying while benefiting students who aspire to aviation careers.”
John H. Sherrod enjoyed a distinguished career as an emergency medicine physician, serving as emergency room director at Sewickley Valley Hospital for three decades before a serious skiing incident forced him to alter his hobbies. He discovered a new challenge in the air as a pilot.
John owned four aircraft and was a familiar face flying out of several Pennsylvania airports, including in Butler County, Doylestown and Zelienople. Always eager to learn, he enthusiastically anticipated his annual aircraft inspections, seeing them as an opportunity to collaborate with mechanics and enhance his aviation education.
John’s love for flying was passed on to friends and family, including his son, Bill, who serves as a 787 captain and check pilot for a major airline, and grandson, Ross. John’s legacy continues to inspire, and his enduring passion for flight lives on through various scholarships that assist future pilots and aviation professionals.
Interested students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship online, where additional information is available. Applications for the scholarship, covering one academic year, will be accepted from Monday, Jan. 26, until the end of the business day on Friday, Feb. 27.
The College introduced its cloud-breaking Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management – Professional Pilot program in January 2024. This unique initiative, developed in connection with the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and Laurel Highlands Aeronautical Academy, seamlessly integrates a pilot's license, an associate degree from CCBC and a bachelor's degree from Saint Vincent within a four-year timeframe.
Saint Vincent College has a rich history of pioneering aviation education. It offered the world's first collegiate piloting program in 1928, using the College’s own biplane, the “Spirit of Saint Vincent.” In 1919, U.S. Army pilots sought refuge from a storm at Saint Vincent during airmail route surveys. They landed on the field where Rooney Hall dormitory now stands and were welcomed by the Benedictine monks to wait out the storm in the monastery.
Velocity R Aviation Foundation is a coalition of aviation and career development professionals whose aim is to provide guidance and serve as advisors and mentors for those with an interest in seeking career opportunities in the aviation industry.
