Caylin Cannady came to OU because it was the perfect blend of everything she wanted from a university. She knew she wanted to pursue air traffic control, but she also knew she wanted the true undergraduate college experience. A cheerleader from a young age, she wanted the opportunity to continue cheering, and she wanted to move out of her home state of California as well so that she could experience a new place. OU checked every box.
“It’s been an awesome adventure and everybody’s been so nice. When I first took a tour here at OU, that was really one of the things that stuck out to me was how nice everybody was and how they all wanted you to succeed.”
She came to the idea of air traffic control after visiting an aunt in Alaska who also works in air traffic control, and the coursework and air-traffic control simulator opportunities offered at OU have only reinforced that.
Like so many aviation students, Cannady describes the School as a “little family.” “When we started off, there was a group of us, and because it’s so small you [advance] with each other. That’s been a really cool thing too because we’ve all been friends since we were freshmen and we’ve been able to see each other every semester.”
While her time with the School of Aviation has been wonderful, many of her favorite memories come from her time as a member of the OU All-Girl Cheer squad. She remembers her first time ever at a home football game, being surrounded by the energy of a Saturday at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. “Everybody comes together, no matter if you’re an aviation student, no matter if you’re an alumnus, or a communications major. Everybody comes together for that event weekly.” Back home, she says, football wasn’t quite as culturally central, but seeing it here for the first time was impressive. “It just solidified why it was such a good decision to choose OU.”
On top of cheering, Cannady has spent her time at OU is a member of the Air Traffic Control Association, a group that has given her many industry-related opportunities outside of the classroom. “We’ve met different people within the aviation industry, alumni, and high officials. And being so close to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, we’ve been able to have the director of the FAA Academy and different managers. It’s been insightful.”
Within the School, she says, ATC is its own small fraction of passionate students, and having the time to get together as a group each month is enjoyable. “Actually, over the past couple of years, we’ve grown the club from just ATC students. We’ve had people who major in Russian, and we’ve had pro-pilots. It’s been neat to see that there are people outside of ATC and aviation who are interested in their field.”
She has a hectic schedule, but in her spare time, Cannady loves to trave, shop, and spend time with her friends whenever she can.
By Kathryn Gebauer
Article Published: Thursday, March 30, 2023
