Honoring the Past: Reflections of John Odegard from those who knew him

A New Perspective Through Corporate Flying

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Wagener, a UND alum and first-generation pilot who grew up near Eau Claire and now resides in Grand Forks. Today, he serves as a Captain for R.D. Offutt Company, flying the Challenger 350/300 and Citation XLS. Along the way, he earned a wide range of certificates and type ratings, including the CE-525S, CE-560XL, CL-30, and EMB-505. We discuss his path from UND to corporate aviation, the realities of flying business jets, and what it took to build a career as a professional pilot coming from a non-aviation background.

From UND To United Airlines

On this week’s episode of AeroTalk, we sit down with two United Airlines pilots who also hold management positions within the airline to discuss what it is like balancing responsibilities both in the cockpit and in the corporate side of aviation. They share how their careers developed from their time at UND to flying for a major airline, the experiences that helped them move into leadership roles at United, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with managing both flying and desk duties. This episode offers an inside look at career growth, leadership, and the many different paths available within the airline industry.

This Alums Journey To Aviation Safety

This week on AeroTalk, we sit down with Vanya Voskresensky, Manager of SMS Policy, Promotion, and Oversight at Southwest Airlines, to discuss his role in airline safety management and the responsibilities that come with overseeing Safety Management Systems (SMS) at a major airline. Vanya also shares how his experiences at University of North Dakota helped shape his path into the aviation industry and led him to his current position at Southwest.

Learn Aviation History and Study Abroad!

This week’s episode features Associate Professor Alan Frazier and Commercial Aviation student Kathleen Thompson as they explore two UND Aerospace study abroad programs focused on the Battle of Britain or D-Day. They discuss the academic structure of these courses, how immersive travel enhances the learning experience, and the historical significance of the sites visited. Having attended the Battle of Britain trip, Kathleen offers insight into the personal and educational impact of participating in these unique programs. If you're interested in pursuing these opportunities check out the syllabi and applications here: https://ndusbpos-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/hyungwoo_jo_ndus_edu/IQAUMTqCZWEUSbITJGQq1g5FAY9JVb-5IAoTI9aE9tHCy3s?e=8Y6eN4 [https://ndusbpos-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/hyungwoo_jo_ndus_edu/IQAUMTqCZWEUSbITJGQq1g5FAY9JVb-5IAoTI9aE9tHCy3s?e=8Y6eN4]

Honoring the Past: Reflections of John Odegard from those who knew him

Take a trip down memory lane as we celebrate John D. Odegard being inducted into the 2026 National Aviation Hall of Fame. In a live special of AeroTalk during Aviation Family Weekend, Stephanie LaDue, Odegard’s daughter, led a conversation with Kent Lovelace, Ken Polovitz, Karen Ruth, and Larry Martin about the incredible impact and legacy John created.