April 2, 2026
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marked a major milestone in its 100-year history during the Centennial Gala, an evening that celebrated the university’s legacy while setting the stage for its future.
The night featured remarks from university leadership, including President P. Barry Butler, as well as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, both emphasizing Embry-Riddle’s impact on aviation, aerospace, and STEM education. During his remarks, Butler announced a $20 million personal donation from Board of Trustees Chairman Mori Hosseini, a major contribution supporting the university’s next phase of growth.
“I don’t know that we’ve had anyone in the modern history of this state who has had more of an impact on higher education in Florida than Mori Hosseini,” said DeSantis. “So thank you for what you’ve done.”
Longtime Daytona Beach residents Cici and Hyatt Brown also shared brief remarks reflecting on their decades-long connection to the university. Married since 1965, the Browns have been major supporters of Embry-Riddle and Volusia County, with Hyatt Brown among the early investors in Operation Bootstrap, the initiative that relocated Embry-Riddle from Miami to Daytona Beach.
The gala also featured a global tribute connecting Embry-Riddle’s worldwide community, with messages from faculty and alumni across the globe wishing the university a happy 100th birthday, along with segments featuring the Prescott and Singapore campuses. The night also included special birthday messages from astronaut Christopher Williams aboard the International Space Station and NASA Administrator and Embry-Riddle alumnus Jared Issacman.
At the center of the evening was the official launch of the university’s new fundraising campaign, Imagine What’s Next, an initiative aiming to raise $300 million by 2030. The campaign has already reached $175 million, driven by contributions from 100% of Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees. The effort has drawn support from more than 18,000 donors, according to the university campaign website.
The initiative is built around four key pillars: increasing scholarships, expanding experiential learning opportunities, investing in faculty excellence and advancing research.
A primary focus of the campaign is expanding scholarships to make Embry-Riddle more accessible and affordable for students. Additional funding will support hands-on learning opportunities, enhanced classroom and laboratory spaces, investment in faculty excellence, and the continued expansion of research initiatives in aviation, aerospace and emerging technologies.
As Embry-Riddle reflects on a century of innovation, the Centennial Gala made clear the university is not only celebrating its past, but investing in what comes next.
