Page 21 - Academic Report FINAL VERSION WEB

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Ed Steigerwald

School of Aviation Ed Steigerwald is an associate professor in the School of Aviation. He joined the
MGA faculty in 2011.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had, and what did you learn from it?
My first job was digging foundation ditches by hand. What did I learn? I learned

that I did not like digging ditches by hand. You know, Jesus taught in that whatever
we do, we should do our best, so I tried to be the best ditch digger I could be. Soon
I wasn’t digging ditches anymore; I was supervising the ditch diggers. Switching
gears to another job, I was (still am) a flight instructor. I was teaching in the Florida
Keys in 2001, and right after signing off a student for his first solo flight, he decided
to steal my airplane and fly it to (of all places) Cuba. It was quite a two-hour ordeal,
including visits from the FBI and the FAA. I never did see that airplane again. What
did I learn? Beware of complacency and find something to be thankful for in every
experience.

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
In 2013, former Macon mayor Lee Robinson and I crafted a partnership project with MGA and the City of

Macon-Bibb to revitalize the Macon downtown airport. The plan was to provide a first-class flight training fa-
cility more convenient to students near Atlanta. A special thanks to Dr. Blake for allowing me to see it through
after my open heart surgery, along with another special thank you in remembrance to Lee, who passed away a
few days after the opening ceremony. He is really the one who made the project a reality and to whom credit
should be given for the accomplishment.

What’s one thing that surprised you about working at MGA?
The faculty and staff in the School of Aviation. I am thankful

that I can work for and with so many fantastic people. These
individuals are academics and craftsman of the highest cali-
ber, especially the leadership we have under Dean Adon Clark.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about your
position/job?

I teach aviation law, and sometimes I am asked for legal
advice. I teach in the CRJ flight simulator and sometimes I am
asked to troubleshoot software. I have some articles published
and sometimes I am asked to critique English and grammar. I
can’t do any of those things. My job really is about giving avi-
ation students the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to be
proficient in their careers. Aviation is very unforgiving and our
focus in the School of Aviation is about equipping graduates
to manage, control, fix, and fly aircraft safely for the rest of
their lives.

What’s one item you can’t leave your home without?
Like most people I would normally say my phone, and

while this is true, I can get by without it.

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really bad at?
Really good at?

Super Mario Cart. I know pilots are supposed to be good
at these type games, but not this one. My mother-in-law could
probably beat me and she is 84 and speaks no English. I’m
good at quoting movie lines. I have a huge repertoire and it is
surprising how often a movie quote can be used in most any
situation. “Have fun stormin’ the castle,” for example. If you
don’t know which movie, you’ll have to Google it.

Which talent would you most like to have?
Speak seven languages, fluently, or maybe fencing, left

handed.

What is your motto?
“Adapt and Overcome.”

Academic Affairs Annual Report 2019 | Middle Georgia State University 17