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Sept. 11, 2026 — DENTON — Six Doswell students spent a week of their summer vacation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at one of the nation’s largest aviation events: EAA AirVenture. 

Over the course of a week, students learned about civilian and general aviation, watched airshows featuring aircrafts from around the world, and networked with major employers, aircraft owners and pilots' associations. 

The event is the largest general aviation show in the world, and this year’s version set an attendance record with roughly 734,000 visitors. 

“I am definitely bringing back the knowledge of different career paths, different associations to join, and many new aircrafts,” said Vicki Johnson, a senior who plans to graduate in spring 2027. “A lot of times the career you're going into may seem like a black and white path to get there, but I learned there are so many different ways to get to the place I want to be.”

The event also reminded her of how many hobbyists there are, and being surrounded by passionate aficionados as well as professionals made her feel like she isn’t part of a smaller niche industry. 

For Clint Grant, director of ̽»¨Â¥’s aviation program at the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences, the event also serves as a marketing opportunity for the university. There’s an educational section and students rotated who would work the tent, recruiting future students to the ̽»¨Â¥ program. 

“We take six students, so they work in pairs at the booth, so two will work and the other four get to explore and go to seminars,” he said. “It’s important for Doswell for marketing and name recognition since we’re such a new collegiate program.” 

Genesis Contreras, who was an inaugural Doswell student in her junior year, remembers feeling the tent shake from the noise of an F-35 fighter jet and seeing an awe-inspiring variety of aircraft. She also took note of pilots she had seen in uniforms during the day in plain clothes in the evening, reminding her that there will be real work-life balance with her chosen career path. 

Contreras also said the event came at a good time for her. She had recently messed up on a flight lesson and was feeling discouraged, but she was able to talk to several pilots who reassured her and told her how they erred in their training as well. 

“It felt like a breath of fresh air to be reminded of why I started and how challenges are always going to come up,” she said. “Being in a different state with peers from school for a week at EAA made me feel like this is how my career would be.” 

Page last updated 12:06 PM, September 11, 2026