Blue Angels visit CSU ahead of the Cleveland National Air Show
Cleveland State University on Sept. 4 hosted members of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, who spoke to students and the community about what it means to be part of the elite squadron. The event was held in the Student Center lounge.
The CSU visit came ahead of the squad's performance at the 63rd Cleveland National Air Show.
Headlining the event were Lt. Col. Brandon Wilkins, assistant maintenance Officer Warrant Jhulem Edejer and logistics researcher Nigel Pasague, who discussed their various roles in the Blue Angels.
They began with a demonstration video showing how the team prepares for flight practice, then opened the floor to questions about the Navy's premier flight demonstration squad.
Along with students, staff and faculty who attended was CSU President Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D., who explained to the audience why Cleveland State values the team's visits so much.
“Hosting the Blue Angels is important for a few reasons,” she said. “First, they are a huge part of our community, but it’s also a way of honoring our military-connected students.”
Inviting the Blue Angels to campus not only honors the team and students with military connections, it's also an opportunity for all students to learn what it takes to become an elite Nave pilot, and to apply those principles to daily life.
“They talked about character, your ability to work with others and your ability to work with a partner,” Bloomberg said. “That, to me, is essential for our students and community to hear.”
The Blue Angels performed at Burke Lakefront Airport and over Lake Erie and Cleveland throughout the Labor Day weekend.
The next stop for the team is the NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Sept. 19-20.
