The Southeastern Oklahoma State University Aviation Sciences Institute and Rose State College announced earlier this month the opening of a joint program at the Rose State campus in Midwest City.

Both colleges held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Rose State’s Tom Steed Community Learning Center. Rose State President Terry Britton said the Institute’s proximity to Tinker Air Force Base at the college would make for a natural fit for aviation education.

“We welcome Southeastern to eastern Oklahoma County. We think they will find the people they need right here, next to Tinker Air Force Base, to sustain this program and help this program grow,” Britton said. “Let’s promote and develop the aviation industry throughout Oklahoma.”

Last year, Southeastern received approval to offer its aviation program at Rose State. Aviation courses will continue to be offered at Southeastern’s Durant campus, Tinker Air Force Base, and Oklahoma City Community College, said Southeastern University President Larry Minks.

“The aviation industry continues to grow in Oklahoma,” Minks said. “Working with Rose State College to add this delivery site will compliment statewide initiatives for accessibility, affordability and contributing to the state’s economic and growth potential.”

Officials, including faculty and staff from Rose State, Southeastern, and Tinker Air Force Base personnel, attended the event. Tinker’s workforce development office, who also attended, is located at Rose State.

Using a pair of gold-plated scissors, and flanked by well-wishers, both Minks and Britton together cut a ceremonial blue ribbon.

Dr. David Conway, who serves as director of the Southeastern Aviation Sciences Institute, said Southeastern has worked for some time with Rose State on Tinker Air Force Base, but that the program there was closed to outside personnel.

“We’re not new to Rose State,” Conway said. “We’ve worked in a partnership with Rose State for more than ten years on Tinker Air Force Base. We’re here to celebrate a vision of both President Britton and President Minks, which came to fruition after more than a year of planning.”

At the graduate level, Southeastern offers the Aerospace Administration & Logistics program.

For undergraduates, the Aviation Management Option is divided into four options:

-- The Business Option is designed for those who want a business background but one that is focused on the specific needs of the aviation industry.

-- The Maintenance Management Option is for those who want to manage aviation maintenance operations.

-- The Safety Option is for those who want a business background but focused on the specific area of safety in the aerospace workplace.

-- The Security Option is for those who want a business background but focused on the quickly evolving area of security in the aerospace field.

According to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace industry is one of the state’s largest employers, resulting in approximately 144,000 jobs statewide. The indus try yields an annual industrial output of $12.5 billion and generates an annual payroll of $5 billion. One in 11 Oklahomans derive their income from the aviation and aerospace industry with an average salary of nearly $55,000 compared to about $30,000 for the average Oklahoman

Oklahoma is also one of seven centers in the world for the modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul ofaircraft, boasting the world’s largest military aircraft repair facility,Tinker Air Force Base, and the world’s largest commercial aircraft repair facility, the American Airlines Engineering Maintenance and Engineering Center in Tulsa.