Foundations of Legacy: Mike Wiggins
Now, Mike Wiggins is a professor in the Department of Aeronautical Science at Embry‑Riddle's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus. He has completed more than 4,200 hours of flight time and more than 3,200 hours of flight instruction. Here, he discusses his journey from discovering the university to training the next generation of leaders in flight.
What inspired you to join Embry‑Riddle, and what has motivated you to stay throughout the years?
I discovered Embry‑Riddle when I was in the area for the Apollo 17 launch in December of 1972. In the summer of 1973, I applied and started the B.S. in Aeronautical Science in September of that year. This was about eight years after the university moved up from Miami. In my last semester in the fall of 1976, I stared working as a part time flight instructor. After graduating in December 1976, I went full time in the Flight Department.
After several years, I decided I really liked teaching, the people I was working with and the students we had. So, I realized this was my passion and therefore my career. To quote Douglas Adams, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.” This is the best way to describe my professional journey. I have been lucky enough to have a wide variety in the things I have been able to accomplish — it has kept it from being boring.
Can you share a favorite memory or milestone from your time at the university?
On April 19, 1989, I was honored to be given the task of dispersing the ashes of John Paul Riddle over his final resting place in Biscayne Bay, Florida. Having known Mr. Riddle, this was something that will be hard to be eclipsed. He was a great man who cared more about our students that anyone else I know. Whenever he was on campus, he was always sitting in the Student Center talking with students. This made a lasting impression on me, which is why this honor meant so much to me.
What accomplishment at Embry‑Riddle are you most proud of?
There are three things that come to mind. First is my time as head coach of our National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) flight team. This began the fall of 1986. We won the regional for the first time in years and have been consistently winning it ever since. The reason this is so meaningful to me is the relationships I developed that have lasted years. Many of my former team members have gone on to highly successful careers throughout the industry. What is special is that from time to time, they send me pictures whenever they meet out in the industry. It is great to see not only their successes but their lasting friendships. I am glad to have played a small role in their early lives.
Second, in the summer of 1986, the fight department leadership asked me to resurrect a program called Sun Seminar where we took high-school aged students and soloed them in two weeks. As I knew nothing about how to set this up, I was dumb enough to say yes. After four years, we had a robust program going with two sessions going each summer. This eventually morphed into the current summer programs offerings.
The third thing was in the Fall of 2003, I agreed to help set up a center for teaching and learning on our campus, working as the Interim Director for John Watret, who was the Associate Provost at the time. I worked for two years getting the basis for this effort started. When it was about to go to the next level, I was asked if I wanted to become the full-time director. As teaching is my first passion, I decided to remain as a faculty member in the Aeronautical Science department. This is when Dave Pedersen took over as the full-time director and did a wonderful job moving to the next level and setting basis for what we have today.
What has been your favorite part of working at the university?
Working with our students and colleagues.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career at Embry‑Riddle, and why?
I would say there are four people who helped me get to where I am today. The first is my father who was a professor. He gave me great insights and advice that helped throughout my career. The second would be Tom Connolly, who guided and mentored me throughout my first couple of decades here. He was truly a genuine person who was able to see the best in me and help me find it. Third was Robert Brown, who was the both the Aeronautical Science and Flight department chair at various times. He mentored me during my time as a student and my early flight training days. Fourth was Gen. Tallman. Through his actions and our conversations, he taught me how to genuinely care for those working for me at the time. Each of these people saw things that I did not see in myself and in their own way, helped me to discover what mattered, what did not matter, how to work with and lead colleagues and students and how to care about people.
What is one little-known fact about you people might find surprising?
Embry‑Riddle and I share the same birthday.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of Embry‑Riddle and its community?
To be able to maintain our pioneering roots as we tackle the challenges of the future. Being unique is what made us successful.