Oklahoma State University announced a $1 million naming gift from Ray and Linda Booker during a groundbreaking ceremony on March 7 for a new flight training center, set to open by fall 2021.

The new flight center will serve as a premiere resource for students pursuing degrees in aviation education. The 11,600-square-foot facility will include private rooms for individual flight debriefings between students and flight instructors and encourage on-site group instruction and discussions. Additional advances to the student learning experience include space for state-of-the-art simulator technology, dispatch space and student common areas.

Ray, who passed away last year after battling Parkinson’s disease, and his wife Linda, are longtime Oklahoma State supporters and aviation enthusiasts. When they visited the existing flight center together, they were immediately captivated by the energy and student excitement they found there.

“We came and met the students and could instantly see how enthused they were and how much they all loved to fly,” Linda said. “I think anyone who goes into aviation has a passion for it. It takes a lot of hard work, skill, time and energy to pursue it. We already knew the demand for pilots was there, and we could see the enthusiasm in these students, so it was a natural fit for both of us.”

OSU Aviation enrolls more than 300 students annually, offering undergraduate degrees in aerospace security, aviation management, technical service management and professional pilot. It is also one of only 18 universities in the nation to offer graduate aviation degrees.

Enrollment has increased nearly 40 percent over the last five years, with the professional pilot option experiencing almost 50 percent enrollment growth.

“We’ve been outgrowing our space for some time now,” said Lance Fortney, program manager for the OSU Flight Center. “Over the last several years, we’ve been continuously working on upgrades to our facilities, fleet and equipment so our students have a high-quality learning experience. This new flight center plays a major role in ensuring Oklahoma State continues to attract and retain the highest caliber of students.”