RIVERSIDE (April 23, 2013) — It was a huge challenge, literally.

Earlier this year, faculty from the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design at California Baptist University encouraged students to submit concepts for a new exterior paint scheme for the university's Boeing 727-200 aircraft. The plane that FedEx donated to CBU's new aviation science program in January needs to be repainted to reflect the change in ownership.

Taylor Griner, a sophomore graphic design major from Idyllwild, Calif., accepted the challenge. She said it took a lot of drafts to come up with the winning design

"I wanted to do something simple to reflect who we are as a university," Griner explained. "I knew I wanted to use CBU colors, and I thought the world map above the wing would be a nice touch."  

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, and other university officials agreed. They selected Griner's design over several other submissions. On April 23, Ellis awarded Griner a $500 prize for her winning design.

The aircraft will serve as a teaching laboratory for students in CBU's aviation science program beginning this fall. Because the plane is no longer certified for flight, plans call for it to be painted in its permanent location at the Riverside Municipal Airport.

"It will definitely be the largest design in my portfolio," Griner commented.

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Click here to watch the video of the plane's arrival: https://vimeo.com/57697977