Mark Welsh, dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, was recognized as a Living Legend of Aviation at an award ceremony held January 20 in Beverly Hills California.
Living Legends of Aviation are recognized annually for their remarkable accomplishment in aviation. Other 2017 honorees included Ray Conner, vice chairman of Boeing Company; Dr. Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus Group; Elling Halvorson, founder and chairman of the board for Papillon Group; and Nick Popovich, aviation repossession expert.
The Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a nonprofit organization seeking to educate and spark children’s interest in aviation, produces the event, which is now in its fifteenth year.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Welsh became dean of the Bush School after a long and distinguished military career, which included service as the twentieth chief of staff of the Air Force, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, commander of NATO’s Air Command, associate director of Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency, and commandant of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized alongside individuals who have made such significant contributions to the field of aviation,” said Welsh.
Actor and pilot John Travolta hosted the awards ceremony, which also honored astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly as well as humanitarian aid pilot Peter Paul Luce.
