The University Aviation Association (UAA) awarded its V. L. Laursen Award for 2011 to Dr. C. Daniel Prather of Middle Tennessee State University.
The award, presented at the UAA Fall Education Conference Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, recognized Dr. Prather for teaching excellence in collegiate aviation education. The Laursen Award honors former Trans World Airline Captain Vern L. Laursen, a highly respected member of the airline industry whose expertise and knowledge are well known throughout the aviation community. Captain Laursen made significant contributions in the areas of flight training, equipment, and procedures, and was renowned for his technical and administrative abilities in evaluating flight simulator and visual system applications.
Dr. Prather is a member of the Middle Tennessee State University graduate faculty, teaching courses in Airport Management, Airline Management, FBO Management, Airport Planning and Design. As former Assistant Director of Operations at Tampa International Airport (TPA), Dr. Prather brings real-world concepts into the classroom, utilizing web-based Airline Management simulation to enable students to gain practical experience managing the operations of a complex airline. He has been twice recognized during the past five years as a faculty member who excels in the use of innovative technology in the classroom. Dr. Prather brought the Airport News and Training Network (ANTN) Digicast platform from TPA, enabling students in Airport Management to participate in this industry training platform. As a result, MTSU is the only university to earn the ANTN Digicast Excellence in Airport Training Award for 2010.
An active researcher, Dr. Prather has published 10 articles appearing in scholarly journals during the past five years. He has written a textbook, and has a second book currently in progress. Dr. Prather serves as Educator Trustee for the University Aviation Association, as well as representing UAA as an Educator member of the NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP) Review Committee.
The University Aviation Association (UAA), a nonprofit organization, represents more than 525 members consisting of educators, students, high schools, two- and four-year collegiate institutions offering aviation degree programs, and organizations and industry representatives that support collegiate aviation. The UAA also serves as the voice of collegiate aviation education to government, industry organizations and the general public.
