Tyler - 2024

Tyler is from central Minnesota and the first person in his family to pursue his pilots license and a career in aviation. Tyler was two months old when he experienced his first flight on the airlines. This first trip spanned five days, six flights, and four different states. In the years since the first trip, Tyler has been able to travel and be immersed in the world of aviation many times. Spending time watching airplanes takeoff and land from his local airport and looking to the sky anytime he heard a plane flying over helped influence his decision to pursue his aviation passion. In high school, Tyler had the opportunity to go on a discovery flight in a Cessna 182 and sit in the right seat. After the flight, Tyler knew flying was something he wanted to learn to do. Within a couple weeks he was getting involved with the local EAA chapter and became the youngest chapter member to hold the Vice President position on the board and a year later the youngest President. Through the connections he made within the chapter, Tyler found an instructor who was willing to mentor him and take him through his Private Pilot Training. Around the same time, Tyler began to look for aviation colleges where he could earn additional certificates and ratings to achieve his dream of becoming a professional pilot for an airline. After touring UND, the decision became pretty clear where he would be attending college. At UND, Tyler has joined several organizations, including Alpha Eta Rho and ALPA ACE, and has continued to build his leadership skills by holding some board positions. Additionally, he is a part of the Honors program and has made the Dean’s List and Honor Roll every semester since starting at UND. Tyler hopes to instruct at UND while pursuing his Certified Flight Instructor Instrument License.


Devin pictured after Succesfully finishing his CFII check ride. June 2023


Devin - 2023

Meet Devin our 2023 Recipient of the Curt Kriedeman CFI Scholarship. Devin is a senior at UND from Seattle, Washington. He is majoring in Commercial Aviation with a minor in Atmospheric Sciences. Devin is a member of the UND Aerobatic Team and hopes to fly warbirds in airshows. Currently, he is a Student Ambassador for UND Aerospace, and is hired to start instructing at UND in August. 

Amanda - 2022

Amanda is a Texas native who made the 1,200 mile move to North Dakota to pursue her ambitions. With almost 500 flight hours, she is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) and Commercial Pilot with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. As a recent summa cum laude and honors department graduate from the University of North Dakota, she holds a Bachelor of Aeronautical Science (Commercial Aviation) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) with French and Chinese language certificates. She is the Founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Reach Out to Outreaches, having dedicated over 2,000 volunteer service hours towards various initiatives. So, service is a pillar of her life alongside campus involvement. Over the past year, Amanda has served as president of the Honors Program Student Organization, competed as vice president of the Chess Club, participated as an officer on the Student Aerospace Advisory Council, worked as a North Dakota Space Grant Consortium NASA STEM Ambassador, led as a captain of UND's Dance Team, taught as a UND flight instructor, and more. Overall, she is a coffee drinker, travel lover, and papercut survivor who is trying to make the most out of life.

Amanda believes that all you need is passion, perseverance, and proximity to a landing strip to earn your wings…but boy, do scholarships help. She has expressed that the monetary support from the Curt Kriedeman CFI Scholarship has enabled and empowered her to reach her goals. She hopes to see you in the skies!