Donated Plane Gives Bergen Students A Chance To Expand Their Horizons

PARAMUS, N.J. — A new plane will give Bergen County Community College students the chance for some hands-on learning and bolster the school's avionics program.

Woody Saland donated "Onex," a $65,000, 16-foot, single-seat plane as a way of enhancing the school's STEM program, which already includes flight simulators and drones.

“Bergen has developed a nationally recognized STEM curriculum that responds to workforce needs and prepares students for entry into the best research institutions in the nation,” said P.J. Ricatto, the college's Dean of Math, Science and Technology. "The institution has also received considerable support from grants, foundations and individuals like Woody Saland. Their generosity enables the College to raise the bar even further, which is very exciting for our students.”

The plane is the latest gift to the school's STEM program.

Earlier this year, the federal government awarded the school a five-year, $5.3 million grant to prepare 2,500 students for graduation and STEM careers. The College received a $3.8 million grant in 2011 that helped raised STEM enrollment by 67 percent.

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted the school clearance to operate drones on campus, making it just one of three community colleges the country to receive such an exemption.

STEM students also launched a high-altitude balloon this summer to photograph images of the Earth from an altitude of about 96,000 feet.

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Photo, from left: Bergen Community College Dean of Math, Science and Technology P.J. Ricatto, "Onex" builder and donor Woody Saland and Bergen Vice President of Academic Affairs William Mullaney. — Courtesy of Bergen Community College