When the Boeing 737 filled with high school students arrived in Carbondale for Aviation Career Day Saturday morning, Sarah Leffleman looked out at the aviation facilities with anticipation.

Leffleman, a senior from Antioch High School, said coming to Southern Illinois has encouraged her to fulfill her dreams of becoming a pilot.

I have had one plane flying lesson, but while I was here I got to control the helicopter on my own, she said. I’m really excited to graduate high school and enter the aviation program here.

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Leffleman’s father works as a commercial pilot for United Airlines, and she has always wanted to become a commercial pilot herself.

Clarence Copping, a United Airlines pilot and SIUC alumnus, participated as a volunteer in the Aviation Career Day programs, which recruits students from 33 Chicago-area high schools. He was able to place Leffleman within closer reach of her dream.

This is a great program, he said. It shows the prospective students how the aviation facilities are run and how much is involved in becoming part of an aviation crew.

United Airlines flew 100 students from the Chicago area to Southern Illinois Airport. The students were in Carbondale from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. touring SIUC’s aviation facilities, the Student Center, Thompson Point and the Recreation Center.

For the past five years, United Airlines and SIUC have been working together in sending students from predominately minority areas of Chicago to tour the aviation facilities of SIUC.

Copping said because the aviation field is made up of predominately white males the exposure minorities receive through the program is extremely beneficial.

Career Day has brought 20 students into SIUC’s aviation program since its inception in 1994.

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The University has a long relationship with United Airlines in Chicago, and students can receive a bachelor’s degree in aviation management through Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Eileen Sweeney, United Airlines civic affairs manager, said United’s participation in the program was intended to further career goals.

United aims to provide children with educational and career opportunities through not only our financial resources but also the with the time and talent of our employees, she said.

For Copping, it was an enjoyable day back at his home airport, showing young students the ropes of the aviation school.

I graduated from SIUC in 1977, he said. Now I work for United and I get to keep coming back to my old university. It’s really a great time.