Wheaton resident Alex Kwiatkowski helps Lewis University Flight Team to seventh place finish at nationals

2015 Jun 3

For the fifth year, Lewis University Flight Team placed in the Top Ten of the nation during the 2015 National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON). Lewis University placed seventh overall, sixth in ground events and eighth in flight events.

The national event was held May 11-16 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio with Lewis University competing against 29 other universities. Other universities that placed in the Top Ten overall with Lewis University include Southern Illinois University, University of North Dakota, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, Western Michigan University, The Ohio State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona, LeTourneau University, United States Air Force Academy and Liberty University. Wheaton resident Alex Kwiatkowski is a member of the Lewis University team and competed in Power Off Landing, Short Field Approach & Landing, Computer Accuracy, Crew Resource Mgmt/Line Oriented Flight Training and Certified Flight Instructor Event.

In addition to Lewis University's team achievements, select Flight Team members earned individual awards. Senior Jack Mullen of Naperville won the Outstanding Team Member award. Mullen won first place in the IFR Simulated Flight Ranking.

Other individual event notable finishes included senior Kayan Todiwalla of Romeoville, who finished in fourth place in the Ground Trainer Ranking. Mullen also secured fifth place. In the Aircraft Preflight Inspection Ranking, seniors Kyle Budewitz of Watertown, Wis. and Kevin DeBoissiere of Columbia, Md. finished in fifth and seventh place, respectively. DeBoissiere teamed up with senior Alex Kwiatkowski of Wheaton to finish in sixth place in the Crew Resource Management/Line Oriented Flight Training Ranking.

The Lewis University flight team members include Nathan Bennett-Swanson of Vernon Hills, Kyle Budewitz of Watertown, Wis., Michael Calloway of Hazel Crest, George Chiampas of Addison, Geoff Culloton of West Chicago, Kevin DeBoissiere of Columbia, Md., Jason Fourdraine of Oregon, Wis., Jordan George of Winnebago, Kyle Jachcinski of Naperville, Douglas Jette of Cary, Alex Kwiatkowski of Wheaton, Kyle Meyer of Homer Glen, Jack Mullen of Naperville, Igor Stasyuk of Prospect Heights, Kayan Todiwalla of Romeoville and Calvin Warren of Plainfield.

The coaches of the flight team include Head Coach Megan Zahos of Downers Grove, Julia Hamlin of Schaumberg, Daniel Magner of Oak Park and Karyn Wojcik of Lisle.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.