Finding Greatness: Matthew Swanson
Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 12:00 AM
Category:
Pressroom
Eastman, GA
A senior flight major, Matthew Swanson is president of MGA’s Student Government Association. His goals include becoming a flight instructor at MGA and, eventually, a Delta Air Lines pilot.
Full Name: Matthew Swanson.
Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.
High School: “I graduated from Leon High School in 2021. During my high school years, I participated in marching band and Scouts BSA, earning my Eagle Scout award in December 2020.”
Family: Mother, Cheryl Swanson; father, David Swanson; brother, Ian Swanson.
Employment: “During the school year, I work in the MGA Writing Center on the Cochran Campus. During school breaks, I return to Florida, where I work at Chicken Salad Chick as a shift lead.”
Degree Objective: Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Management, flight concentration.
Class Rank: Senior.
Primary Campus: Eastman.
Activities: President, MGA Student Government Association; student representative, MGA Alumni Association Board; English Studies Organization.
Career Goals: “My ultimate career goal is to become a captain for Delta Air Lines. With my grandparents living in Massachusetts and my family living in Florida, flying up and down the East Coast was an annual occurrence filled with excitement. My goal to become a pilot started when I was around seven, when I was invited into the cockpit before the flight for a brief tour during which the captain had me push a button. I was rewarded with a set of plastic wings and an MD-88 trading card, both of which I still have to this day. Despite adding our dog to our family in 2013 resulting in significantly fewer flights, my love for flying has remained constant, and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to do what I love while I’m still in school.”
He chose Middle Georgia State University because … “I decided to attend Middle Georgia State University because of the program offerings at a comparatively low cost. Most university competitors operate aging fleets at sky-high prices, while Middle Georgia State offers the same program, in almost new planes with modern systems, for a fraction of the cost. On top of that, MGA is a partner institution with several airlines, offering our students direct pathways to the airlines.”
The greatest thing he discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “The opportunities. Living at a smaller university without many weekend activities is incredibly peaceful and forces students to make use of their time. During my freshman year, I went to an airline collectibles show in Atlanta, which launched me into the hobby of 1:200 scale model aircraft collecting, and later into designing a custom model airport. With the help of our Makerspace, I taught myself the basics of 3D printing in my junior year.
“In addition to my new hobby, the small-campus style of MGA makes it easy for students to get involved on campus. It is easy to network and build working relationships with other students and administrative staff, something that has helped me get to and work in my role as the SGA president.”
His greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia State student has been … “Flying almost every weekend. I tell people, ‘Every day I get to fly is a good day.’ Training cannot progress fast enough (my goal is to get to the airlines as soon as possible), but it has so far been so fun and rewarding. I just started flying a more advanced aircraft, the Piper Arrow, a few weeks ago reaching is a milestone I have been looking forward to all year.”
To him, greatness means … “Taking charge of my life and ensuring I’m doing what I can to position myself to achieve what I want to accomplish. It means taking the time to do what needs to be done, build positive working relationships, and learn. However, greatness requires someone also holds the mindset of service and ensures that the path they’ve forged is maintained for those behind them to use.”
In five years … “Within the first five years following graduation, I hope to already be in the Delta Propel program, which requires flight instructors to teach at the school from which they received training. Under the program, I see myself as a flight instructor for MGA, providing the best mentorship and training to flight students I can. Once I get the required hours to earn my restricted airline transport pilot certificate the program gives me a direct route to be hired by Endeavor Air and eventually, Delta Air Lines.
“During this process, I’m sure life will present me with new opportunities to meet people, learn, and try new things. I plan to travel a lot using any flight benefits I have. Finally, I’m planning to continue work on my model airport, thus keeping my creative side alive.”