About
ARDI fortifies academic distinction at the United States Air Force Academy by establishing and stewarding perpetually endowed academic chairs.
ARDI
Since its founding in 1984, ARDI’s mission has been to support and fortify academic distinction at the United States Air Force Academy by establishing and stewarding perpetually endowed academic chairs. The chairs are established through tax-exempt donations, from both individuals and corporations, and professors are chosen annually by the Dean of Faculty to occupy the chairs. These distinguished visiting professors bring their unique, real-world perspectives to faculty members and cadets alike that enhance the Academy’s heritage of academic preeminence.
Our efforts are designed to provide the greatest minds in our Country with real-world challenges and insights, exposing them to diverse perspectives and ideas that enrich their already world-class education.
Funding the Mission of Excellence in Education
ARDI’s goal of funding the mission of excellence in education is made possible by donations. As a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the state of Colorado, ARDI strives toward the mission of providing perpetual endowments with transparency to our benefactors and the public.
ARDI seeks to meet a target amount for each endowed chair in order to consider the endowment fulfilled for gifting to the USAF. For this reason, strategic planning and well-considered solicitation are important and necessary aspects of ARDI. As an endowed chair approaches full funding, ARDI offers the amount as a gift to the Secretary of the Air Force.
Thus far, ARDI has raised more than $20-million dollars, allowing distinguished visiting professorships to contribute and grow the excellence of education with the United States Air Force Academy. ARDI currently contributes approximately $1.3M each year in indirect support to USAFA through the endowed chair program and ancillary academic activities.
Perpetual Endowments
Each chair provided by ARDI is endowed into perpetuity. Meaning, the endowed chair legacy will affect will affect thousands of our greatest minds and impact the future of the United States Air Force and our nation for generations to come.
Academic Excellence
At ARDI, we are steadfast in or commitment to cultivate and support academic excellence at the United States Air Force Academy.
Diverse Perspective
The ARDI distinguished visiting professors and programs provide the cadets with real-world challenges and insights, exposing them to diverse perspectives and ideas that enrich their world-class education.
Board of Directors
Col Mick Erdle, USAF (Ret),
Chairman
Terry Erdle
Vice Chairman
Col. Rick Pyatt, USAF (Ret)
Director
Lt. Gen. Christopher D. Miller, USAF (Ret)
Director
Dana Montgomery
Director
Brig. Gen. Bob Edmonds, USAF (Ret)
Director
Maj. Gen. Jack Catton, USAF (Ret)
Director