Celebrating 50 Years of Aviation: Alumni Feature - Angie (Schuster) Wulfekuhle (C'00) and Neil Wulfekuhle (C'00)

Angie (Schuster) Wulfekuhle (C'00) was born and raised on a farm in Dubuque, Iowa, and first became interested in flying after a family trip to Disneyland. At first, she was interested in becoming a flight attendant. However, Paul Gavin, her guidance counselor at Dubuque Senior High School, encouraged her to consider becoming a pilot. After high school, Angie enrolled at Central Missouri State University to begin her flight training. Two years later, she transferred to the University of Dubuque to finish her training and education. She also began working at the Dubuque Air Service, now known as the Dubuque Jet Center, to get firsthand experience in the aviation industry. It became the place where she would meet her future husband.

Neil Wulfekuhle (C'00) originally planned to follow his dad's footsteps and become a farmer. From a young age, he remembers his dad talking about an airstrip that was on their farm in Holy Cross, Iowa. He loved to watch as the planes flew over the farm, pausing his chores to admire the skies. During his senior year at Western Dubuque High School, Neil's teacher Sue Dolter instructed him to write a report on an occupation. His options were a farmer or a pilot. His teacher encouraged him to write about becoming a pilot, which she later shared with his parents at teacher conferences. Until that day, Neil's parents had no idea he was interested in becoming a pilot, but they encouraged him to follow his dreams. That fall, he enrolled at UD and began working at the Dubuque Air Service.

Both Angie and Neil are grateful for those who set them on their path to an aviation career, saying that their career path would have been very different without them. They also had a mentor at the Dubuque Air Service, Kevin Foley (C'93, MBA'02), former associate professor of aviation, who they credit for their success.

"Kevin was a great guy all around, he taught me about attention to detail, and he had high standards for exceptional customer service," Angie said.

Neil added, "Kevin was my first 'real' boss away from the farm. He was a great boss to everyone and had a way of gaining everyone's respect. If Kevin hadn't hired me, I'm pretty sure my career path would have been very different."

Shortly after meeting, Angie and Neil attended a UD formal together. Three and a half years later, on November 16, 2002, the couple celebrated their wedding day. They have now been married for 22 years and have three children: Maverick (after Top Gun), Dominic, and Alanna.

Balancing careers in aviation and a young family has been an adventure for the Wulfekuhles. After graduation, Angie worked for a short time as a flight instructor before becoming a pilot for Skyway Airlines and Republic Airlines. After four years, and with a focus on starting their family, Angie began flying corporate for American Trust and Savings Bank. She has now been with A.Y. McDonald flying a CJ4 for the past five years.

After graduation, Neil began working for ERTL Toy Company. Following September 11, 2001, there was much uncertainty for pilots and their career paths. Thankfully, Neil was able to stay in the aviation industry, working for various airlines and continuing to progress in his career. Getting hired to fly the MD-80 at Midwest Airlines at age 27 was a milestone, but for Neil, the most exciting milestone was getting hired at Delta Airlines in 2019. In 2022, he upgraded to captain, achieving his career goal of becoming a major airline captain.

Through all of life's changes, one thing has remained consistent for the Wulfekuhles: their love for flying, which all started at UD.

"UD also allowed me to pursue my dreams of flying. The instructors were knowledgeable, the faculty and staff were professional, and the courses were great! I give full credit to UD for where I am today," Angie said.

Neil added, "UD is unique because it has that small, hometown feel, and working in the aviation industry is a great job. I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing."

Blue Skies and Tailwinds, Spartans - see you at Homecoming 2024, October 3-5!

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