WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute proudly recognized David Byers of Franklin, Indiana, with a Distinguished Technology Alumni Award at the annual Purdue Technology Appreciation and Alumni Awards ceremony. Byers, a 1985 graduate of Purdue’s Professional Pilot Technology program, was honored for his remarkable career in aviation and his enduring contributions to the field.
Byers, currently a captain for United Airlines, flies the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on international routes, covering destinations across the globe. With over 27,000 flight hours and 40 years in the airline industry, David remains as passionate about flying today as he was when he first took off from Purdue’s flight line.
“Purdue was instrumental in helping me realize my career goal of obtaining my first airline job,” said Byers. “I owe much of my success to the education and experiences I had as a student in the Professional Pilot Technology program.”
Beyond the cockpit, Byers serves as a quality control check airman for United Airlines, where he plays a key role in mentoring, training and evaluating pilots and fellow check airmen on the Boeing 787. His dedication to excellence in aviation safety and training has made a lasting impact on the next generation of aviators.
Back home in Franklin, David is also a trustee at Franklin College, contributing his leadership and insight to his local community. Whether attending Purdue football games, skiing in the Alps, or creating memories with friends around the world, Byers embodies the adventurous spirit and lifelong learning ethos of a Boilermaker.
The Distinguished Technology Alumni Award recognizes outstanding Purdue Polytechnic alumni who have demonstrated professional achievement, leadership, and service to their community and alma mater. David Byers exemplifies these qualities in so many aspects of his life and career.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap—including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative—at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
