Wings of Ambition

Meet Tyrique Murry (’25), graduating this fall with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and a minor in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems from Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Campus.

Tyrique enlisted in the Air Force in 2018. Through the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) program, he seamlessly transitioned from the Community College of the Air Force to Embry‑Riddle, aligning his education with his role as a special missions aviator, an enlisted flyer of helicopters in support of specialized operations. His academic journey began at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and has taken him to Aviano Air Base in Italy, where he continues his studies at Embry‑Riddle’s Aviano site.

The B.S. in Aeronautics program has deepened Tyrique’s understanding of flight and prepared him for his next step as a pilot.

“I already had sound fundamentals of aeronautics from flying with the Air Force but never had the chance to further research and comprehend some of the sciences behind it,” he said. “I believe that the courses I have taken here have given me much clarity and understanding. Plus, it really helped me prepare for the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT).”

Inspired by Support

Tyrique’s journey has been shaped by the guidance and encouragement of those around him. His first supervisor, Joshua Lahart, played a pivotal role in his decision to pursue higher education.

“I met Lahart back in Nellis and I told him I wanted to become an Air Force officer,” he said.  “He encouraged me to go to school and even took classes with me to keep me motivated. When we were both stationed at Aviano, he continued encouraging my dreams and has watched me grow to achieve them.”

Tyrique also credits his Worldwide Academic Advisor, Jay DeLange, for his insightful guidance.

“He was so understanding and thoughtful when helping me with my path for being selected for Officer Training School (OTS). He offered me academic advice on classes, schedules and even getting myself transfer credits that I didn’t know I was entitled to, such as my AFSC 7-Level, and encouraged me to apply for scholarships when I ran out of tuition assistance,” he said.

Balancing a demanding job with academic responsibilities has been challenging for Tyrique. 

“My job is very busy — to the point where I spend more time on temporary duty than I do at home, and add the daily flying operations, training students as an instructor, sleepless nights and taking care of the family — it gets to be a lot for one person. But I have a great family here at Aviano that has supported me and my dreams, as well as more-than-understanding professors who encourage me to push through my work,” he said.

Legacy of Service and Achievement

Tyrique’s family has been his greatest source of motivation. “No one in my immediate family went to college, and we all joined the military. My father's biggest regret after 20 years in the Army was not completing his degree while in service. He got his degree after he retired just to show his kids that it’s possible,” he said.

Now, Tyrique and his sibling are serving in the Air Force. As the youngest, Tyrique is on track to become the first in his family to graduate from college and to be commissioned as a military officer. In doing so, he continues the legacy of leadership and determination set by his father.

Future in Focus

Tyrique’s goals are to complete Officer Training School and pilot training, leveraging his education and flying experience to become the best pilot he can be. He plans to pursue a master's degree at Embry‑Riddle.

“My personal goal is to become an astronaut at NASA and shoot for the stars,” he said.

From his roots in Florida to his service in the Air Force, Tyrique’s path has been shaped by a passion for flight and the support of Embry‑Riddle. “My time spent at Embry‑Riddle has certainly influenced my life journey thus far. I was raised in Florida and didn’t live too far from Daytona Beach. I even took an interest in high school before I joined the Air Force. Even after enrolling at Embry‑Riddle, I’ve had advisors at every location I’ve lived in, and that’s made it an easy and sound choice — especially coming from an aviation career field with an interest in aeronautics. The AU-ABC program really helped me kick-start my path to OTS,” he said.

Tyrique’s achievements are a testament to his determination and the powerful network of support behind him — from his mentors and military peers to his family and the Embry‑Riddle community that helped him stay the course.  His journey is proof that with resilience and the right support, success is always within reach.