TSU celebrates its newest pilot and a recently graduated aviator

by Terrence H. Fontaine

Flight instructors, Capt. Sherrill and Dr. Connelly. Right, Mr. Odumabo climbing out of T.S.U.’s Cessna training aircraft which he flew for his flight examination.

Mr. Sunmisola (Sunmi) Odumabo earned is Pilot’s License on Tuesday August 4th after passing his FAA practical examination.

Mr. Odumabo has been a dedicated student within the Professional Pilot Concentration of Texas Southern University’s Department of Aviation Science since 2018. Entering as a Post-­‐Bac student, he moved successfully through the rigorous academic courses of the freshman, sophomore and junior classes regularly taking on more than 15 semester hours per semester. Sunmi always displayed a calm and even-­‐temper in the classroom and in the air, ultimately serving as an example to his peers within the program. Although generally quiet and soft-­‐spoken when the moment called for it, he displayed all the hallmarks of a class leader.

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De’Ran Williams, a graduate of Texas Southern University’s Professional Pilot Program (seen right), recently entered the United States Navy! Shown taking the oath, Mr. Williams shined at T.S.U. where he was in inspiration to his fellow students and served as role model for all students in the Aviation department.

Mr. Williams was the first to graduate from the recently formed Professional Pilot Concentration within the Dept. of Aviation Science, earning both his FAA Pilot’s License and a bachelors of Science degree from T.S.U. Outgoing and charismatic, his personality was esteemed by fellow students and faculty alike. He was also a founder of T.S.U.’s chapter of OBAP (the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) as well as involving himself in numerous leadership roles throughout the campus. Showing great pose in the air, he passed his FAA practical examinations, written, oral and flight practical on his first attempt at each and graduated T.S.U. with a stellar GPA despite taking on as many as 20 semester hours in a single term

Although the staff and faculty do miss seeing De’Ran on campus and at the airport, their pride in the achievements of their first graduate gives everyone at T.S.U. a great sense of pride and happiness for Mr. Williams and his continued success