University of Florida and Full Sail University scholarships inspire ambition

May 4, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The National Flight Academy announced today plans to distribute a $125,000 matching scholarship fund made possible by the University of Florida and Full Sail University totaling $250,000. The funding will allow hundreds of students to attend three- and five-day sessions aboard Ambition.

Ambition is a brand new, land-locked, scenically and theatrically outfitted aircraft carrier, located in Pensacola, Fla. – the birthplace of aviation heroes and innovation. Ambition brings the latest in multisensory media and simulation technologies coupled with dynamic teaching methods into an aviation-themed in-residence multi-day STEM-based educational program for 7th-12th graders. It has been described as “theme-park-meets-think-tank.” The facility also accommodates an exciting environment for business team building, meetings and retreats.

Full Sail University is a major creative force in the development of the digital and animated storytelling, key to the immersive experience. The University of Florida is a leader in education innovation and fully supports an inspired play learning environment.

Full Sail University Co-Chairman/CEO Bill Heavener and UF President Bernie Machen will both attend the anticipated “Commissioning” of Ambition, May 11, 2012. Members of the inaugural class boarding Ambition will benefit from the financial incentives provided by these generous grants.

Commissioning is on May 11, 2012, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the grand lawns of the National Flight Academy. The event is open to the public and guests are encouraged to park and enter through the National Naval Aviation Museum located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Video and photographs of Ambition are available at www.nationalflightacademy.com/creative. For more information call 850-458-7836. Media credentials can be obtained by calling 850-432-8020.

The University of Florida is one of the nation’s largest public universities. A member of the Association of American Universities, UF receives more than $619 million annually in sponsored research funding. Through its research and other activities, UF contributes more than $8.76 billion a year to Florida’s economy and has a total employment impact of more than 100,000 jobs statewide. www.ufl.edu. University of Florida Research; Working for Florida.

Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment and media industry. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has been recognized as one of the Top Five Game Degree Programs by Electronic Gaming Monthly, one of the Best Music Programs by Rolling Stone Magazine, and one of the Best Film Programs by UNleashed Magazine. In 2011, Full Sail received the “21st Century Best Practices in Distance Learning Award” from the United States Distance Learning Association, was named the “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Social Media Colleges by Studentadvisor.com.

Full Sail offers on-campus and online master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs in areas related to animation, art, business, education, graphic design, film, marketing, web development, music, recording arts, sports, and video games. Full Sail graduate credits include work on OSCAR, Emmy, GRAMMY, ADDY, MTV Video Music Award and Spike Video Game Award nominated and winning projects.

The National Flight Academy is funded by Naval Aviation Museum Foundation private investment.