Southern Union State Community College Foundation establishes L&R Norris Aviation Maintenance Technician Examination Scholarship
The Southern Union State Community College Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the L&R Norris Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Exam Scholarship, made possible through the generosity of benefactors Lynze and Ronnie Norris.
Lynze and Ronnie Norris
For Lynze Norris, supporting aviation is both personal and deeply meaningful. A native of Troy, Lynze has spent the past 10 years working in Fortune 500 companies’ flight departments. She sees the creation of this scholarship as a way to “give back to her home state in a field that she loves.” Her passion for aviation began at a young age when she attended a Young Eagles event and met retired Air Force pilots who showed her around the aircraft and took her on an exploratory flight. That introduction, which she describes as “a Godsend gift,” sparked her interest in aviation maintenance and ultimately led to her career in the field.
The scholarship is designed to support students committed to advancing in aviation maintenance. Applicants must have completed individual sections of the A&P exam. Their GPA and an essay outlining financial need and career plans will also be considered. Upon completion and passing of the credential exam, students will be reimbursed for their exam fees.
Lynze hopes recipients of this scholarship, as well as other potential students, will see the many opportunities available within the aviation industry. “When students see people within the industry trying to help them succeed,” she says, “the encouragement can be transformative”.
She and Ronnie also hope their gift brings awareness to a career field in high demand and the many paths it offers, emphasizing the importance of aviation mechanics as a field of study. They hope that others will be inspired to give back as well, noting that “hopefully people will look back at how someone helped them and will continue the act of giving to encourage future generations of aviation mechanics. Southern Union has a great program, and I am glad to be able to make a small difference,” Lynze adds.
Donor Spotlight: Richard Bailey — Giving Wings to the Future of Aviation
For Richard Bailey, aviation isn’t just a career—it’s a calling that spans generations. A retired UPS pilot and current instructor in Auburn University’s Aviation Management program, Richard's passion for flight began early. Inspired by his father, a retired United Airlines pilot, young Richard once dreamed of becoming the CEO of United. While his path took a different route, his love for aviation only deepened over the years.
Richard’s impressive career includes serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he piloted the C-141 cargo plane and later served as an instructor. It was through teaching that he discovered a second passion—mentoring. "I really enjoyed helping others learn and grow,” he says. “Mentoring became just as fulfilling as flying."
That commitment to helping others has taken on a new form through philanthropy. Richard and his wife, Lat, recently established a scholarship for Southern Union State Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, a gesture rooted in both appreciation and foresight.
Richard and Lat Bailey
“I really love flying, but not everyone who wants a career in aviation takes that route,” Richard explains. “The maintenance and mechanic side of the field is vital. I admire people who have a skill—mechanics are golden.”
With the rapid advancement of technology in aviation, Richard sees immense value in training the next generation of skilled technicians. “We have a real opportunity to shape the future of aviation. This scholarship can play a role in that by supporting students who want to be part of this evolving industry.”
Richard’s scholarship is merit-based, designed to reward students who demonstrate not just academic potential, but also strong work ethic and character. Students can earn up to $1,600 over the course of four semesters.
“I appreciate the foundation Southern Union’s program provides,” Richard says. “I wanted a way to give back to the community and help give opportunity to students in a field that I love. It’s very rewarding to help kids in our area build a future in aviation.”
By giving to the Southern Union Foundation, Richard Bailey is not only investing in students—he’s strengthening the aviation industry and uplifting his community.
Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Fuller – Class of 2016, Radiologic Technology
Jennifer Fuller has always had a passion for people. Married at just 18 and a stay-at-home mom while her husband served in the military, Jennifer put her family first. But as her children grew and began school, she felt a calling—one that would lead her into the field of Radiologic Technology and beyond.
“I was always led to oncology,” Jennifer shares. “Radiation Therapy really spoke to me.”
That passion guided her to Southern Union State Community College, where she enrolled in the Radiologic Technology program. Despite the challenges of raising a family and navigating her husband’s military deployments, Jennifer thrived. With the encouragement of dedicated faculty like Program Director Mary Catherine Herndon and instructor Buddy Glidewell, she persevered—earning the distinction of Most Outstanding Health Sciences Student and graduating with the highest GPA in her class.
“Mary Catherine and Buddy were amazing,” Jennifer says. “They were supportive and encouraging, and really invested in me—not just as a student, but as a person. My husband was deployed for much of my time in the program, but they never let me give up.”
Her degree from Southern Union was just the beginning. Jennifer continued her education at Chattanooga State, earning a degree in Radiation Therapy, and later went on to graduate summa cum laude from Bellevue University with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Dosimetry. Today, she is one of only about 3,500 certified medical dosimetrists in the entire country.
As a dosimetrist, Jennifer plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in patient care. “We design radiation treatment plans,” she explains. “I may not be face-to-face with every patient, but I get to be part of their journey—whether that’s working toward a cure or more precious time with their family. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
A native of Valley, she still lives there with her husband—a fellow Southern Union alum from the Physical Therapy Assistant program—and their three children. Jennifer continues to inspire those around her. Her oldest son is already looking into Southern Union’s health sciences programs, inspired by his mom’s determination and success.
“There’s so much more to the Rad Tech field than people realize,” she says. “I am proud to be an alumna of Southern Union. The college launched me on a career path I’m proud of, and it helped my kids see that you can achieve what you set out to do.”
Donor spotlight: Henry's establish Path to the Plains scholarship
The Southern Union Foundation is proud to announce a generous gift commitment from Blake and Traci Henry to establish the very first scholarship for students in the Path to the Plains (P2P) program at Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC).
This contribution will support second-year P2P students as they prepare for a seamless transfer to Auburn University. Scholarship criteria and award details will be announced at a later date.
Path to the Plains is a concurrent enrollment program offered jointly by SUSCC and Auburn University, designed to provide Alabama students with an affordable and accessible pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree at Auburn after completing their associate’s degree.
Owners of Railroad Investment Group of Opelika, the Henrys are committed to creating lasting, positive change in their community through charitable giving. “Our hope is that this scholarship not only lightens the financial burden for students but also inspires them to chase their dreams with confidence. Investing in education is investing in the future—and we believe the future is bright for every student who walks this path,” they said.
“We are so grateful to Blake and Traci for making lives better for Southern Union students. The establishment of this scholarship underscores the Henrys’ commitment to investing in future generations. It’s a powerful catalyst to allow students to pursue their dreams,” said Gretchen VanValkenburg, Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations at SUSCC.
The Southern Union Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), supports the educational mission of SUSCC by expanding student access through financial aid and funding innovative programs that enhance academic quality.
To learn more about the Southern Union Foundation, visit https://www.suscc.edu/about/foundation-overview. For more information on the Path to the Plains program, visit suscc.edu.