With much fanfare, including music provided by student marching band members, and a ribbon cutting with hundreds of guests, the University of Central Missouri (UCM) celebrated the opening of its new Skyhaven Aviation Center at the Max. B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport on Friday, September 8.

Serving as a catalyst for local and regional economic development while also contributing to the advancement and future of aviation education at UCM, the Aviation Center is a 10,000-square foot facility that will become the airport’s centerpiece. The $5.1 million building project was made possible by a combination of funding sources that include private gifts totaling $2.8 million from Warrensburg residents Lynn and Jackie Harmon, the Sunderland Foundation in Kansas City and other private donors, and $1 million in state appropriations. UCM funded the balance.

UCM is the only university in the state of Missouri to operate its own public-use airport, and the only institution in the nation to offer a master’s degree in Aviation Management. Consistent with its dual role, the new Skyhaven Aviation Center was designed to serve the needs of private pilots while also preparing UCM students to become part of a high-demand industry as professional pilots. The new facility includes amenities such as a pilots’ lounge, lockers, bathroom with a shower, and quiet room to serve local and corporate aviators. It also has a large shared space with a dispatch station, break room, airport staff offices, vending machines, conference room, work room, and 30 private flight instructor-aviation student pods for individual meetings and educational purposes.

Individuals who attended the dedication ceremony had the opportunity to tour the new facility. Within the gathering were UCM students, faculty, and staff and many aviation alumni. Also taking part were city, county, state and federal officials and various representatives of their offices.