SAMA & Aviation Family Weekend 2026
Join us April 23-26, 2026 for Aviation Family Weekend! Four days of professional development, meaningful connection, and quality time with family and friends.
On behalf of the University of North Dakota Alpha Eta Rho, Delta Chapter, Professional Aviation Fraternity, we would like to welcome family, friends, and loved ones to our annual UND Aerospace Aviation Family Weekend. This event brings family and friends from all over the world to celebrate the achievements of our aviation students.
This annual event kicks off with the SAMA Conference featuring speakers throughout the day, as well as the industry-known SAMA Career Fair, where students can visit with aviation professionals and network. For more info, email president.undsama@gmail.com.
Family Weekend Banquet Dinner
Saturday, April 25
Join us for our annual Family Weekend Banquet Dinner! Limited seats will be available. Students receiving a scholarship will be given a complimentary seat for dinner. Tickets will become available at a later date. Stay tuned for updates.
Keynote Speaker
Sawyer Murray
Captain Sawyer "RiZZ" Murray graduated from Rosemount High School in 2014 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota in 2018, with a focus in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, graduating magna cum laude. While at UND, Capt. Murray was a member of the university's diving team. After college, Capt. Murray was worked as a flight instructor in San Angelo, Texas, before entering military service.
In March 2019, Capt. Murray completed Officer Training School and went on to pilot training at Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) in Wichita Falls, Texas. She was subsequently assigned to Langley Air Force Base as a T-38A adversary pilot and, in 2023, transitioned to flying the F-22 Raptor at Langley.
Capt. Murray has completed one deployment, served as a safety observer on the F-22 demonstration team, and accumulated over 1,100 total flight hours, including 550 hours of civilian flying time, 300 hours in the T-38A, and 250 hours in the F-22.
Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 23 | |
| 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | SAMA Conference |
| Friday, April 24 | |
| 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | SAMA Career Fair |
| Saturday, April 25 | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Women in Aviation Takeoff Breakfast |
| 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | AHP Lunch and Silent Auction |
| 4:00 p.m. | Scholarship Ceremony |
| 6:00 p.m. | Banquet Dinner and Silent Auction |
| Sunday, April 26 | |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | NGPA Brunch + Bingo Robin Hall Atrium |
Family Flights
Take the opportunity to fly alongside your student at UND during Aviation Family Weekend. Aircraft launch sign-ups will be announced as Aviation Family Weekend approaches. For additional information regarding family flights, email AHP.UND@gmail.com.
Events
Future Banquet Dates
Save the date for these upcoming Scholarship Ceremonies/Banquet Dinners!
- April 24, 2027
Highlights from Past Years
2024
2023
2022
Hosts
