Kevin Cowart, a Delta TechOps employee with over three decades of aviation maintenance experience, has established the Kevin Howell Cowart Aviation Maintenance Career Endowment at Middle Georgia State University (MGA). The endowment is funded by an initial $25,000 stock gift from Cowart’s inheritance and is aimed at supporting students enrolled in MGA’s Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) program.
Cowart created the endowment to honor his late mother, a former Delta employee, and to give back to the industry that shaped his career. “I wanted to make a difference now — while I can see the impact,” Cowart said. “Supporting education strengthens the entire aviation community we all depend on.”
The scholarship targets students who demonstrate academic performance, financial need, and a commitment to aviation maintenance. Its goal is to reduce financial barriers for those pursuing FAA-certified A&P training and to encourage qualities such as work ethic, leadership potential, and dedication to aviation safety.
Cowart’s background includes service as an avionics technician in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining Delta TechOps and earning his A&P certification there. He noted plans for ongoing support: “I plan to donate a percentage of my estate to grow this endowment and ensure its long-term impact,” he said. “Seeing students launch their careers and knowing this helps strengthen the aviation workforce is incredibly rewarding.”
Middle Georgia State University was selected as a partner due to its strong reputation for producing skilled aviation maintenance professionals and its partnership with Delta TechOps. Leaders from both organizations collaborated with Cowart on establishing the initiative.
The Delta Foundation contributed an additional $5,000 match to the endowment and will continue matching donations up to $5,000 annually.
The FAA Airframe & Powerplant certification requires comprehensive training in areas such as aircraft structures, hydraulics, electrical systems, powerplants, and regulatory compliance. This ensures graduates are prepared for high standards of safety in both commercial and military aviation settings.
Cowart continues working with MGA’s Foundation team and Delta TechOps Training leaders to raise awareness about supporting educational opportunities within aviation maintenance fields.
Delta also operates a Matching Gifts to Education Program through The Delta Air Lines Foundation. This program matches donations made by employees, retirees, or board members dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 per person each year at accredited educational institutions from pre-K through post-graduate levels.
