Lisa Elizabeth Wagner was a focused, driven young woman who endeavored to live every day of her life exactly as she had imagined it. And for her mother, Marilyn Wagner, watching her daughter fulfill those dreams was a gift like no other.
Lisa attained nearly every goal she set for herself. She got her bachelor's and master's degrees from Embry-Riddle and then gave back to the university by becoming a flight instructor. And, in March, 2001, she earned her captain's rating for Mesaba Airlines. Hers was a life filled with purpose and achievement.
But there was one obstacle Lisa could not overcome. On June 21, 2002, at the age of only 31, Lisa died of lung cancer.
"Lisa had her life planned," says Marilyn Wagner. "From the time she was only 11 years old, she knew she wanted to attend Embry-Riddle and become a pilot. She had planned to fly professionally until she was 60, then retire from the industry and return to Embry-Riddle's flightline to continue instructing."
She loved Embry-Riddle and enjoyed her years as a flight instructor, taking pride in her students and working hard to ensure their success.
"Lisa had eight life goals," says Marilyn. "Establishing a scholarship for students who loved the flying life and needed financial assistance to make those dreams come true was one of those goals."
While Lisa's was unable to achieve all her goals, her mother has made certain that at least one will come true.
With Marilyn Wagner leading the charge, friends and family created an endowed scholarship for a senior flight student at Embry-Riddle in Lisa's memory, the Lisa Wagner Memorial Scholarship.
"I'm grateful that I can help others like my daughter attain the life they've dreamed of. Lisa lived her life to the fullest. She embraced challenges and lived more in her 31 years than most people can hope for in 85. I want to see that my daughter's sincere and generous wish to teach and make flight possible for someone else is met."