Launching a Calling: Sophomore Builds Runway for Aerospace Engineers
When Ethan Ish ’29 arrived at Westmont as a first-year student, he saw a wealth of possibilities in the engineering department, but he wanted a direct, immediate way to engage with his passion for aerospace. Guided by a desire to build professional connections, he turned to the internet to find opportunities.
“Networking is important for any industry, and I wanted to get started early,” Ish says. “I started hunting for opportunities online, and found AIAA through their Instagram posts.”
He learned that the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) operated through college branches and that Westmont’s engineering program could launch its own student chapter.
“My mind started racing with ideas of what we could do with this at Westmont: more networking opportunities, guest speakers, internship opportunities and scholarships,” he says. “I saw a lot of potential and an opportunity, so I went for it.”
Now a sophomore, Ish has seen that vision expand through the creation of the Dey-Ish Westmont Excellence in Aerospace Engineering Fund. Established by Ish’s parents, Shilpi Dey and Kenneth Ish, the endowment honors a family legacy rooted in military and commercial aviation. The five-year gift supports the new AIAA chapter, faculty mentorship, student attendance at national conferences and pathways to regional aerospace internships on California's Central Coast.
For Ish, the family’s gift reflects a shared vision to blend rigorous technical training with a Christ-centered liberal arts education.
“Both sides of my family have been involved in the aerospace industry and believe in the opportunities it offers,” he says. “They hope the endowment will help students with God on the heart and planes on the brain find even more opportunities to invest the talents God has given them while at Westmont.”
The investment has started bearing fruit. Ish recently represented Westmont at a major AIAA national conference, immersing himself in intensive, multi-day technical courses on propeller aerodynamics and electrified-propulsion aircraft led by top industry specialists.
Between long days studying high-efficiency airfoils, thermal management in battery systems, and noise reduction, Ish gained insight into the future of flight. He envisions a future where electric aircraft handle regional transit—like short flights between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. Beyond the technical mechanics, the trip offered something even more foundational: a clear look into the professional aerospace ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Ish hopes the combination of Westmont's AIAA chapter and the new endowment will pave a smooth runway for future students who feel called to the skies.
“I dream that the Westmont branch of AIAA helps the college be known even more than it is today as a place where students have the resources for their God-given gifts to follow their God-given callings, especially regarding aerospace engineering,” he says.