April 15, 2026
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds gathered on the Connolly Quad and Fitness Lawn on March 27 as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University celebrated its 100th anniversary with a high-energy Centennial Celebration, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and families for a night of music, food, and campus pride.
The event, held from 5 to 8 p.m., transformed the campus into a festival-like atmosphere. Food and drink trucks lined the Fitness Lawn, while Journey Through the Decades tents, carnival-style games, a carousel and interactive activities filled the space. Attendees of all ages moved through the event, creating a lively environment that reflected the university’s century-long legacy.
For many students, the highlight was simply seeing the campus community come together.
“I think just seeing a lot of people enjoying themselves,” said Grace Scratten, a junior majoring in space operations, when asked about her favorite part of the event.
Beyond the immediate attractions, students also looked ahead to the event’s featured experiences.
“We’re gonna do a telescope tour. We’re excited for that,” Scratten mentioned.
As part of the celebration, student organizations also contributed to the night’s success. The Avion hosted its “News and Brews” event, an initiative planned months in advance by its executive board. The organization partnered with Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck to distribute 500 free drinks to students — all of which were claimed in under an hour.
In addition to beverages, The Avion offered exclusive merchandise, including T-shirts and tote bags designed by Lead Designer Daphne Sierra Aquiningoc and Design Editor Grace Hamilton. Shirts were gone within 45 minutes, and bags were fully distributed before the event concluded, marking a strong turnout and engagement with students.
I am so proud of everyone who helped contribute to this events sucess. This was our first big event like this for the student body and I am happy to say that it was a soaring success. - Grace Hamilton , Design Editor
The evening built toward its grand finale, a large-scale drone show that lit up the night sky beginning at 8:15 p.m. Attendees gathered across the Quad and Lawn, many in awe as illuminated drones formed a series of images representing the university’s identity and history.
The display featured the original Embry-Riddle Company logo, a globe, aircraft and spacecraft, and visual nods to academic programs such as engineering, business, astronomy, and biology. Daytona Beach’s racing culture was also recognized with the appearance of a race car formation, while other sequences included variations of the university’s eagle logo and a brief Star Wars reference that drew attention from the crowd.
Set to a soundtrack of classic rock songs including AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” “Danger Zone” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the show prompted audible reactions from the audience, with waves of applause, cheers and collective awe as each formation appeared.
The Centennial Celebration not only honored Embry-Riddle’s past but also highlighted its evolving campus community. With strong attendance and enthusiastic participation, the event underscored the university’s ability to bring people together across generations in celebration of a shared legacy.
