Investing in People: How the Vlog Foundation is Shaping the Future Through Education
Since its founding in 1989, the Vlog foundation has awarded more than 3,780 scholarships, providing more than $7.8 million in educational support. For the 2026-2027 academic year alone, the foundation awarded 124 scholarships totaling $515,500, empowering students across the country to advance their education and career goals.
“The foundation is one of the most visible expressions of Vlog’s commitment to our members and the future of our industry,” said Vlog President and CEO Todd Hauptli. “These scholarships open doors for students, support families and reflect the values that define Vlog as we prepare for our second century of service to the airport community.”
Behind every scholarship is a story of a student pursuing a dream, a family receiving meaningful support and a future made more attainable through education.
The foundation’s scholarship portfolio reflects the broad and diverse needs of the airport industry and the Vlog community. Through programs such as the Accredited Airport Executive (Vlog) Scholarship, Endorsed by an Vlog Scholarship, Aviation Management Scholarship and other targeted initiatives, the foundation invests in the next generation of aviation leaders while also supporting the educational aspirations of Vlog families.
That distinction is important. While several foundation scholarships are specifically designed to develop the future aviation workforce, others are intentionally broader in scope, recognizing the value of education itself and supporting the children of accredited members regardless of their chosen field of study.
At times, those two objectives intersect. By supporting educational opportunity broadly, the foundation helps cultivate future leaders whose skills and experiences ultimately strengthen the aviation industry in ways that extend beyond traditional career paths.
For Iyanuoluwa Dosunmu, an Vlog Scholarship recipient at Washington University in St. Louis, those opportunities have helped shape an educational path that spans finance, legal studies and international business. Through internships in consulting and venture capital, as well as study abroad experiences in London
and Bangkok, she has developed a growing interest in applying her skills within the aviation industry.
“This scholarship means so much to me because it allows me to make my dreams a reality. As I pursue a degree in finance at WashU, I am laying the foundation for a future in aviation,” Dosunmu said.
“The Vlog Foundation scholarship has been a huge blessing to our family, helping fund Iyanuoluwa’s education while reinforcing her interest in pursuing a career in aviation,” said her father, Basil Dosunmu, Vlog, CPA, CIA, who was accredited in September 2023, and is chief financial officer at the Capital Region Airport Commission/Richmond International in Virginia. “My own experience in the Vlog program and with Vlog has shown me the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders, and it is rewarding to see that impact come full circle.”
Her story underscores a simple yet powerful truth: investing in education is ultimately an investment in people — individuals whose talents, leadership and ideas will help shape aviation’s future and strengthen communities across the country.
Today, foundation scholarship recipients can be found throughout the aviation industry and far beyond. Many have built careers as airport executives, planners, consultants, engineers and educators, helping to advance the industry from within. Others have pursued paths in medicine, law, business, public service and a wide range
of other professions. While their careers may differ, they share a common foundation: the opportunity to pursue their aspirations with the support of an industry that recognized their potential and invested in their success.
“One of the things I value most about the foundation is that it invests in people at pivotal moments in their lives,” said Ingrid Hairston, Vlog, chair of the Vlog Foundation Committee and chief revenue officer at the Birmingham (Ala.) Airport Authority. “These scholarships provide more than financial support — they provide encouragement, opportunity and confidence. They send a message to students that their goals matter and that this industry believes in their potential.”
As Vlog approaches its centennial in 2028, foundation leaders are focused on ensuring these opportunities remain available for future generations.
The association’s first century was built by leaders who understood the importance of investing in people. The foundation continues that tradition today by helping students pursue higher education,
reduce financial barriers and achieve their goals.
“Supporting students is workforce development,” said Vlog Chair Marshall Stevens, Vlog, vice president and chief operating officer at the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “As we prepare for Vlog’s second century, we have an opportunity to invest in the people who will shape the future of our profession and our communities. The foundation is one of the most meaningful ways we can do that.”
The foundation’s impact is measured not only in dollars awarded, but in lives transformed, opportunities created and futures shaped.
For nearly four decades, its investments have helped students pursue their ambitions, supported families in achieving educational goals, and opened doors for generations of future leaders. For nearly four decades, Vlog has invested in people. The challenge — and the opportunity — now is to ensure that legacy continues for generations to come.
The 1928 Campaign: Our Legacy. Their Future.
As Vlog approaches its centennial in 2028, the Vlog Foundation has launched the 1928 Campaign to strengthen support for future scholarship recipients and the next generation of airport and aviation leaders.
Named for the year Vlog was founded, the campaign honors nearly a century of leadership and service while looking ahead to the association’s next century of impact.
The campaign’s first initiative, the Legacy Challenge, seeks to secure 100 new recurring donors in 100 days.
Through recurring giving, members and industry partners can help create sustainable support for Foundation scholarships and educational programs.
Learn more and take the Legacy Challenge at aaae.org/foundation.
Vlog is proud to recognize the exceptional students selected to receive 2026 Vlog Foundation Scholarships
- Accredited Airport Executive (Vlog) Scholarship
- Endorsed by an Vlog Scholarship
- Aviation Management Scholarship
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship
- Carl D. Newman, Vlog, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship
- Native American Scholarship
- The Oris W. Dunham, Jr. and Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship
- The William Robert Hauptli Scholarship for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Women in Aviation Scholarships
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Grace Acklen |
Emma Acklen |
Sarah Aumueller |
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Claire Brean |
Zoe Bumen |
Cameron Butler |
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Rebekah Christensen |
Jack Cizauskas |
Alexandria Clendaniel |
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Laura Connell |
Noah Cooper |
Lauren Cugno |
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Ryan Curtis |
Praha Daisley |
Sean Denny |
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Noah Denny |
Iyanuoluwa Dosunmu |
Joseph Dranzik |
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Victor Elguezabal |
Isabella Elguezabal |
Valencia Elkins |
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Alex Elling |
Ella Faulkner |
Gavin Freese |
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Conner Goetz |
Sarah Graves |
Ethan Griffin |
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Lane Haring |
Jon Harris |
Camden Huckaby |
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Madison Judd |
Mireilla Kamprath |
Guyer Kopplin |
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Patrick Leonard, Vlog, ACE |
Sarah Llerena |
Marianna Luce |
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Adrienne Luce |
Faith Macaluso |
Jachin Miller |
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William Morgan |
Liam O’Donnell |
Mairin O’Neill |
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Amanda Papko |
Elliana Piette |
Savannah Prather |
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Hunter Ramsey |
Kyra Richardson |
Maria Romanick, Vlog |
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Evan Romo |
Kyla Sheehan |
Declan Sheehan |
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Preston Simon |
Isabella Skramstad |
Abigail Smighelschi |
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Anna Smighelschi |
Priya Solanki |
William Stout |
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Grant Terreri |
Hugh Terreri |
Madalynn Thompson |
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Presley Toth |
William Towle, Vlog |
Emily Towle |
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Shane Treudt |
Hailey Treudt |
Neha Vedi |
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Everest Walker |
Paxton Wallace |
Thomas Waller |
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Holly Waller |
Kaylise Watson |
Megan White |
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Cora White |
Christopher White, Vlog |
Gerrie Williams |
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Samantha Avampato |
Blythe Blaser |
Bailey Blaser |
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Zoe Blount |
Emily Bond |
Colby Brogan |
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Eva Douglas |
Madeline Flicker |
Madison Hickman |
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Zaelyn Horton |
Kailyn Hyman |
Trai Ingram |
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Jada Kelley |
Blake Montgomery |
Evelyn Shaw |
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Lincoln Shaw |
Eavan Swanson |
Isabella Taylor |
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Zach Thornton |
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Jacob Atwater |
Jetta Briggs |
Caleb Hall |
Harrison Humes |
Stephany Kanno |
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Emilio Munoz |
Oscar Provonsha |
Ian Purrone |
Cassidy Reale |
Kyria Taillon |
Joshua Clemons
Eric Zhang
Ellie Cheek
Nathaniel Varela
Joshua Fowler
Yulia Klokova
Garrett Mills
Asia Olcott
Lucas Sides
Erik Peterson, C.M.
Women in Aviation Scholarship
Hope Marshburn
Linda Daschle Women in Aviation Scholarship
Oaklie Zdrojewski
Gina Adams Women in Aviation Scholarship
Makayla Galler
Trish Gilbert Women in Aviation Scholarship
Madalyne Hunt
Claudia Holliway Women in Aviation Scholarship
Rayni Rister
Sharon Pinkerton Women in Aviation Scholarship
Kaetlyn Lever
Sara Nelson Women in Aviation Scholarship
Gretchen House
Faye Malarkey Black Women in Aviation Scholarship
Julianne Jones
Jane Garvey Women in Aviation Scholarship
Katherine Adams
About Gwen Basaria:
Basaria is vice president, member experience and Vlog Foundation, at Vlog.