Prescott, Ariz., June 30, 2011 - Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus, received a Patriotic Employer Award from the Arizona Office for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

This prestigious award was based on a nomination from Embry-Riddle Employee and Chair of the campus flight line Col. Jerry Kidrick who is currently stationed in Iraq. 

In the nomination Col. Kidrick stated "Dr. Ayers has been very supportive during my mobilization and deployment to Iraq for one year.  He has made it a point to mention my service to employees and students and details of my actions in Iraq have been published in the Horizons campus newspaper. Additionally, Dr. Ayers assisted in the Veterans Club project to collect and send items for distribution at an orphanage here in Basrah, Iraq.  Dr. Ayers and his wife Debbie have offered to assist my family while I'm away and have made it clear that the university is anxious for me to return to my position.  The entire campus has been fully supportive of my activation and deployment and much credit goes 

The award was presented by Mr. Luke Sefton, Arizona's Northern Area Chair for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

"As the 1.1 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors and Dr. Ayers and the Embry-Riddle community has been a great supporter of veterans and current soldiers in all branches of service.  This award is to acknowledge his dedication to our men and women in uniform.  Dr.
Ayers fully supports the Student Veteran Organization on the Embry-Riddle campus.  This includes all active duty personnel, current faculty and student veterans, and the Army and Air Force ROTC detachments.  Dr. Ayers is especially proud to support the recent addition of the many Yellow Ribbon Veterans.  This award goes out to Dr. Ayers and the entire Embry-Riddle community" said Mr. Sefton.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla. and  Prescott, Ariz., as well as through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit  www.embryriddle.edu.  Anyone wanting additional information regarding ESGR can visit our web site at www.esgr.mil or locally by calling Butch Wise at 602-629-4031, or email at: Lawrence.wise@us.army.mil.