The Aviation Accreditation Board honored Jacksonville University School Of Aviation Director Capt. Matt Tuohy ‘75/’03 as its 2022 Paul Whelan Educator Award winner, a recognition that goes to one aviation educator in the country each year.
The AABI selects someone who has been instrumental in the advancement of the AABI, which works to advance quality aviation education through accreditation and leadership.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected for this award,” Tuohy said. “I know many of the past awardees and it is truly gratifying to join them as a Whelan Award recipient. I think it is also a great reflection on our program at JU. The faculty, staff and students are recognized as being some of the best in the collegiate aviation community.”
Upon retiring from his 27-year career in the Navy, Tuohy joined his alma mater as Director of Aeronautics in 2001. After working stints in the defense, energy and staffing industries, he returned to JU in 2014. He was a recipient of the JU Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000 and was named to the inaugural class of 75 "Distinguished Dolphins" during JU's 75th anniversary. He was the inaugural recipient of JU’s Outstanding Military Alumnus of Distinction award in 2017.
Tuohy, a member of AABI’s board of trustees for the last eight years, has served the organization in a number of capacities – as a longtime member of the Accreditation Committee and as chairperson of numerous accreditation visiting teams. He also helped pioneer the “Virtual Team Visit” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award was established in 2008 to honor the late Dr. Paul A. Whelan. Dr. Whelan became the founding chair of AABI, then the Council on Aviation Accreditation, in 1988 and led the organization through its first years.
