| Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet | January 21, 2021 |
Main News
Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, Flies with the Angels
It isn’t everyday that you see a university president don a flight suit, let alone one with a “Blue Angels” emblem on it. Even so, on Wednesday, September 7, Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Joan Lescinski, CSJ, president of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, did just that and “flew with the Angels.”
Piloted by Lt. David Tickle, the Navy Blue Angels’ F/A-18 Hornet took Sister Joan to 16,500 feet, “up to but not breaking Mach 1,” she says. It was a 45-minute, 5 G (force), “out of this world” experience. “I was thrilled,” says Sister Joan.
The opportunity came along when Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Paul Koch nominated her for the Blue Angels “Key Influencer of Young Americans” program. A rigorous testing process led to her selection for this honor.
Having a nephew stationed at the Nebraska air force base where the flight would take place, made the experience all the more special. Her nephew, Army National Guard Major Michael Akins, and two great-nephews, Tyler and Tanner, were on hand to cheer proudly for their courageous aunt. “It was lovely to have my family be a part of this incredible experience,” says Sister Joan.
This is not the first time she has flown. At age 50 Sister Joan decided to skydive as a part of her celebration. Recently, she started flight lessons. And now, the Blue Angels. When asked why she considered doing this, she has a ready answer. “It was a marvelous opportunity to show the young people at St. Ambrose that you’re never too old to try something new.”
(reprinted from the website of St. Ambrose University with permission of Jane Kettering, Media Relations)