Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknifer studying to be a pilot at the University of North Dakota has been awarded two scholarships thanks to good marks and a love of flying.

Derrick Kocik, born and raised in Yellowknife, received $550 from the Dale DeRemer/University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation Award and the Paul E. Schwietz Memorial Scholarship.

"I've wanted to be a pilot ever since I can remember," said Kocik. "Airplanes have always been a thing of passion for me. I've followed it through ever since."

Kocik will graduate this year from with a combined degree in aeronautical sciences and as a commercial pilot.

The program is one of the few offering flight training along with a university degree.

Kocik received a $5,000 bursary funded by the Department of Transportation and Canadian North last summer.

Although the money won't do much to offset the nearly $120,000 Kocik has paid in tuition over his four years of university, he said that every little bit helps.

The Paul E. Schweitz Memorial Scholarship is in memory of a UND graduate and flight instructor. It's awarded based on scholastic achievement and for love of flying.

Leslie Martin, an assistant professor at UND, led the selection process as scholarship chair.

"Just knowing Derrick, they're a lot the same," said Martin on why she chose Kocik for the Schweitz scholarship. "It was a must to have a love of flying."

Awarding the scholarships was a semester-long process. There were 117 recipients who shared 70 scholarships.

Kocik was the only recipient of both scholarships.

Kocik plans on returning to Yellowknife once he graduates this year. His father has lived in Yellowknife since 1955.

He worked at Giant Mine and now works on the cleanup with Nuna Logistics.

"That's where I've always been and jobs are plentiful," said Kocik on why he's returning to Yellowknife. "It's a good place to start a career."