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Bill Gross
Professor/Chief Pilot
College of Technology
and Aviation
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Bill
and Elaine Gross | Bill Gross is
K-State’s “father of flight” — not in the literal sense, of course,
although he does have a few “paternal” claims regarding the aviation
program at K-State-Salina.
“When it’s about my students, I’m
their adviser and I sometimes play the role of a stand-in dad,” Bill
said. “I tell the new students at orientation each fall, ‘Come see
me if you have a problem. My door’s open, come on in and let’s
talk.’”
Bill also played a fatherly role in getting the
College of Technology and Aviation off the ground. He was the first
pilot instructor to join the program.
“When this program
started, it was called the Kansas Technical Institute (and later
Kansas College of Technology),” Bill said. “I was aware of the need
for instructors in aviation here at the college. At the time, I had
what I thought was a good job at Farmland Industries, then all of a
sudden the economic crunch of ’86 happened. Thus, my career as a
college professor in aviation began.”
Bill joined the program
in 1987. He inherited a variety of responsibilities. “I did most of
the teaching the first several years,” Bill said. “I also did 90
percent of transportation flying for the university. That was in
addition to teaching 12 hours of class.”
In 1991, the
technology and aviation program merged with K-State.
“We
welcome the opportunities to fly our aircraft to various air shows
and farm shows and represent our program to the public,” Bill said.
“At the time of the merger, we were at a show with the helicopter
promoting our college and recruiting students. The merger was signed
by the governor while we were there, so we got a big K-State sign
and put it in the front of our helicopter advertising that we’re now
K-State.”
As one of the most respected teachers and pilots at
K-State-Salina, Bill has stepped forward to help students in a very
personal way. He and his wife, Elaine, have established the William
R. and Elaine A. Gross Scholarship program to help students who are
enrolled in the professional pilot curriculum.
“Our objective
in providing funding for an aviation scholarship is to bridge the
financial gap between desire and realizing a goal,” Elaine
said.
 “It’s an expensive program, in the
neighborhood of $35,000, just for the flight part of it," Bill said.
“The Dolly Hardman scholarship has been a real help for the women,
but we don’t have anything like that for the guys. Of course, we
didn’t specify men only, we really want to help the students who
have set goals to complete the aviation program and begin a career
in aviation.”
Bill and Elaine practically grew up as the boy
and girl next door on farms near the small community of Friend, Kan.
Bill was two years older and was studying animal science at K-State.
They married in 1967, then both attended K-State.
“We soon
decided that financially, both of us couldn’t continue going to
school, so I got what I call my PHT, ‘Putting Hubby Through,’”
Elaine said. “I worked in the state extension office in Umberger
Hall for five years while Bill finished his degrees.” She now works
for the Kansas Highway Patrol in Salina.
Bill completed a
bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry, with a second
major in agricultural education in 1970. He earned a master’s degree
in agricultural education in 1973 and taught Vocational Agriculture
at Riley County (Kan.) High School after graduating. He then went on
to work for Farmland Industries for 13 years.
Bill had been a
member of the K-State flying club while in college. As a senior, he
became president of the club. Bill logged enough flight hours to
earn his pilot ratings while in college. Bill continued to fly in
his spare time in the years after college and currently has logged
more than 22,000 flight hours.
Elaine also has some flight
experience. “I do have some flight training, but I’m spoiled by
having a good pilot in the family,” she said. “I have not had the
desire to get my license.”
On land, their roles are reversed.
“When we drive somewhere, Elaine drives, I ride along, grade tests,
catch up on flying magazines, work on the computer, and of course
visit with my wife,” Bill said.
Although flying is probably
Bill’s No. 1 passion, he and Elaine enjoy having close relationships
with the aviation students. They often receive invitations to
weddings and enjoy the visits when former students are in
town.
“I really enjoy watching the students come in as brand
new freshmen, and when they leave they are adults,” Bill said. “The
thing I like the most about teaching is seeing the students mature
and become productive citizens.”
— Joe Montgomery
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