Chasing Aviation & Adventure!
About Me:
Hello! I'm Nathan Ruff. Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, I spent eighteen wonderful years growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest before moving to North Dakota for college. I'm a student currently attending the University of North Dakota and enrolled in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. I'm working towards a Bachelor's of Science in Aeronautics degree with a major in commercial aviation (fixed-wing). After I graduate from UND, I'll begin my career in commercial aviation as a professional pilot. As a result of growing up with a dad who's a private pilot, I'm very passionate about flying, and thanks to both of my parents, I also have a tremendous love for adventure and the great outdoors.
Academic Plan & Career Goals:
While in high school, I enrolled in a program called Running Start, which allowed me to attend Spokane Falls Community College full-time and earn my Associate of Arts degree. I saved roughly $15,000, since I only paid for course fees and textbooks. At the age of 17, I graduated with both my high school diploma and my A.A. degree. My eagerness and dedication for success continues on as I attend the University of North Dakota. I earned my private pilot license at the age of 18 during my first semester at UND. Very few students accomplish this feat, since one semester is about 17 weeks long. I am hoping to finish a four-year flight training program in just over two years. UND's summer semesters are divided into two six-week sessions. Flight courses are offered during both sessions, allowing me to complete two-semesters-worth of flight training in 12 weeks. By completing two flight courses each summer, I'll be on track to graduate at the end of fall semester in 2015.
In less than a year, I'll begin working for UND Aerospace as a certified flight instructor. Once I graduate from the University of North Dakota, I'll most likely continue to fly as a CFI for about another year in order to build hours and gain experience. With enough flight time, I'll probably join a regional airline to begin flying commercially. Companies that I'm considering initially flying for include Horizon Air, Kenmore Air, Empire Airlines, and Ravn Alaska. As of right now, I plan on working towards a career with FedEx as a cargo pilot. Furthermore, once I earn my Bachelor's degree, I would like to pursue a Master's degree in Space Studies at UND in hopes of also possibly working for NASA as an astronaut or research pilot in the future. I plan on being involved with Angel Flight, and I hope to someday assist in the Citation Special Olympics Airlift. Additionally, I would like to volunteer as a pilot for EAA Young Eagles and share my passion of aviation with other youth.
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement:
University of North Dakota - Grand Forks, ND
B.S., Aeronautics (Major in Commercial Aviation), Expected 2015
Institutional GPA: 4.000
Cumulative GPA: 3.982
Spokane Falls Community College - Spokane, WA
A.A., Direct Transfer Agreement, 2013
Cumulative GPA: 3.967
Mead High School - Spokane, WA
General Studies, 2013
Cumulative GPA: 3.980
I take pride in the many honors and awards that I have earned in the past couple years. They include being inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Beta Gamma Kappa Chapter) and the National Honor Society, as well as receiving the Washington State Honors Award and President's Award for Educational Excellence. In addition, I have continuously made the UND Dean's List, SFCC President's Honor Roll, and MHS Honor Roll. Most recently, I have volunteered as an honorary student marshal at two of UND's commencements. For the 2014 summer commencement, I was selected to serve as the Grand Marshal, where I had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting Karen Nyberg, an alumnus of UND, NASA astronaut, and mechanical engineer, as she received an honorary doctorate of letters.
I've logged over 650 hours of community service and happily look forward to many more. Organizations and events that I have volunteered for include First Night Spokane, Cancer Care Northwest, the Spokane Sister Cities Association, Life Center Foursquare Church, Lilac Bloomsday Run, Spike & Dig Volleyball Tournament, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Hoopfest Basketball Tournament, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Donations:
Ever since my dad earned his private pilot license it has been my dream to become a professional pilot. I have worked very hard to get to where I am now, and I will not let college finances deter me. In order to complete four years of flying in just two, my flight training will be equivalent to having a full-time job, in addition to already being a full-time student.
As of right now, I'm relying entirely on scholarships, grants, and financial aid to get me through school. I've made it through my first two semesters at UND without any student loans; a huge blessing for which I couldn't be more thankful, but looking ahead, I'm having a difficult time figuring out where I'm going to get the necessary funds. Although I have a lot of support from my family, it is simply not possible for them to offer me much financial assistance due to their own financial obligations and hardships. Faced with the possibility of about $75,000 in student loans, this is where you have the ability to change my life. In order to reach my academic and career goals, I'm really in need of your help. I'm hoping that you would please consider making a donation to this notable undertaking. Help me accomplish my life-long dream, so I can pay it forward to others.
Please, if you are unable to make a donation, it would still mean the world to me if you would share this page with your friends and family. Thank you so much for your time, your generosity, and any donations that you make!
May you always have blue skies and a strong tailwind!
Breakdown of Remaining Tuition & Flight Training Costs:
Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics: Commercial Aviation
- Commercial, Instrument, & Multi-Engine Ratings = $35,471
- Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) = $19,548
- Physiology Training = $240
- Advanced Jet Transition Courses = $4,228
Tuition & Fees
- North Dakota Resident (3 semesters and 2 summers) = $16,892
- Financial Aid = –$8,842
Miscellaneous
- Books & Supplies = $2,200
Total Cost $69,737
Goal Amount $70,000*
*Adjusted for increases in tuition, fees, and training costs over 2 years
Source for Flight Training Costs: http://www.aviation.und.edu/data/IndividualFlightCourseCosts.pdf#zoom=100
Last updated: January 6, 2015
