Sioux City, Iowa—Morningside University’s School of Aviation hosted its inaugural Aviation Career Day at the Ascension FBO, Sioux Gateway Airport. 

The event was designed to connect Morningside aviation students with leaders across the aviation industry and to provide hands-on professional engagement opportunities at an operational airport. 

Aviation Career Day brought together airline captains, corporate aviation leaders, Federal Aviation Administration representatives, airport management professionals, military aviation leaders, agricultural aerial applicators, drone operators, and aviation talent recruitment professionals. The featured keynote speaker was Captain Mike “Thorny” Brewer, a current United Airlines captain and former pilot with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. 

“This event reflects how aviation education should operate — students learning directly from professionals who live the industry every day,” said Dr. Tom Paulsen, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Aviation at Morningside University. “Our goal is to prepare students not only with technical skills, but with professional relationships, mentorship, and a clear understanding of aviation career pathways.” 

Throughout the day, students participated in panel discussions, safety presentations, and career mentoring roundtables designed to expose them to a wide range of aviation careers and leadership perspectives.