Taking flight: Delta State's Aviation students soar in summer internships

Cleveland, MS (09/23/2025) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The whine of jet engines drowned out the Mississippi heat as Casey Ray, headset on, guided a plane into position at George M. Bryan Airport. For the Starkville native and Delta State University senior, this wasn't just a summer internship-it was her runway to the future. In addition to Ray, two other Aviation Management majors, Gavin Wells and John "Houston" Turney, spent their summer of 2025 diving into the world of airport operations. Their stories, woven from grit and ambition, show why Delta State's Commercial Aviation program is a launchpad for the industry's next leaders.

At George M. Bryan Airport in Starkville, Casey Ray, a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aviation Management, worked as an Aircraft Lineman under Airport Operations Manager Rusty Bouchillon. From fueling planes to marshaling aircraft, Ray became the heartbeat of daily operations. Her work ethic was so undeniable that the airport invited her back to manage the chaos of Mississippi State's football season home games. "Directing planes felt like second nature by the end," Ray said. "You realize how much you've learned when you're out there making it happen."

Across the state line in Louisiana, senior Gavin Wells faced a different challenge. At Monroe Regional Airport, where he interned as an Operations Specialist, the small staff leaned hard on him during a wave of maternity leaves. The Lake Village, Arkansas, native endured long commutes to keep operations humming. "Some days were relentless," Wells admitted, "but knowing I was keeping things together for the team made it worth it." His reliability earned him the respect of colleagues who saw him not as an intern, but as a cornerstone.

For junior John "Houston" Turney, the summer was a homecoming with high stakes. At Huntsville International Airport-named the South's Best Small Airport by Newsweek for 2024-2025-he worked alongside interns from Auburn and Alabama. Under Chief Operating Officer Kevin Vandeberg, Turney got a front-row seat to the inner workings of a major hub, from control tower tours to executive meetings. "Seeing how safety, logistics, and passenger experience connect was eye-opening," he said. "It's a machine, and I got to see every gear."

These aren't just stories of summer jobs-they're proof of Delta State's Commercial Aviation program in action. "Our students don't just study aviation; they live it," said Maggie Moran, Instructor of Commercial Aviation. "Casey, Gavin, and Houston stepped into professional roles and excelled because our program builds that readiness." Through partnerships with regional airports, Delta State ensures its students don't just graduate with a degree-they leave with experience, confidence, and connections.

The numbers back it up: Delta State's College of Business and Aviation consistently places students in competitive internships that lead to careers. For Ray, Wells, and Turney, the summer of 2025 wasn't a break-it was a beginning. As they return to campus, their sights are set higher than ever, ready to take the controls of aviation's future.

For more on Delta State's Commercial Aviation programs, visit deltastate.edu/business-aviation.

Cutline: (L to R) John "Houston" Turney, Casey Ray, and Gavin Wells.

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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,700 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 14 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.