Eric Radtke Honored as UC Clermont's 2013 Distinguished Alumnus

UC Clermont College honored Eric Radtke as the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus at the college’s Scholarship Luncheon today. The luncheon is held annually to recognize scholarship recipients, donors and to name a distinguished alumnus.

The award is bestowed upon an individual who has distinguished themselves through significant professional accomplishment, made contributions to their community and attended UC Clermont College for at least one year. 

“Words can’t adequately express my sincere gratitude or how deeply honored I am to be recognized as the 2013 UC Clermont College Distinguished Alumnus. This campus allowed me to forge lifelong friendships and memories and to master the keys to my future, while developing a keen awareness of the value of relationships and community. I found the Clermont College environment to be all that I had hoped it would be — an environment that fosters innovation, integrity, teamwork, leadership and educational excellence amid numerous resources to enhance the college experience,” Radtke said. 

Radtke enrolled in the University of Cincinnati and its Professional Pilot training program in the fall of 1996, as UC’s Presidential Scholar. Upon graduation in 1998 from UC Clermont College, with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Technology, Radtke transferred to the UC College of Business, earning his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2000.

After a year as a professional airline pilot, Radtke decided he preferred the experiences and rewards of general aviation education. He returned to Sporty’s in 2002 to head its flight school and direct the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program. Currently, he is pof Sporty’s Academy, a flight school that offers recreational to career pilot training and produces a complete line of award-winning aviation educational products. In addition, Radtke serves as Chief Instructor of Aviation at UC Clermont College and Vice President at Sporty’s Pilot Shop.

“While being recognized at a scholarship event as UC’s presidential scholar recipient during my freshman year at UC in 1996, I was invited to offer a few words of thanks. I commented that evening that there were two things I always wanted to be: a pilot and a Bearcat. UC gave me both. We are indeed part of something very special,” Radtke said.

“Eric Radtke was definitely born to be a Bearcat. The University of Cincinnati is part of his family's legacy. Eric continues to lead, teach and give back in the community where he was raised. We are so pleased to honor him today as one of our shining examples of success,” said Dean Gregory S. Sojka.
 
Radtke is an airline transport pilot, master flight instructor, advanced ground instructor and member of the Board of the National Association of Flight Instructors. He serves as editor of a flight training blog at LearnToFlyHere.com and regularly contributes articles to industry publications, including Flying Magazine. Radtke is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati-Eastside. He and his wife Kelly, a UC graduate, have two daughters, Lauren and Cara, and reside in Clermont County.
 
The luncheon provides a unique opportunity for students to meet their benefactors. Approximately 225 people attended the event on campus in the Student Activities Center.
 
Six new scholarships were announced during the luncheon. They are: CenterBank Scholarship, Phil & Lois Boyer Scholarship, Jim Bushman Memorial Scholarship, Lloyd & Irene Hollon Scholarship, Park National Bank Scholarship and the newly endowed Donald F. Lykins Memorial Scholarship. 
 
During the luncheon paralegal student Kristyn Whiting, recipient of the Charles and Justine Romer Scholarship, spoke on behalf of the students. She expressed what a scholarship meant to her on her educational journey. Sheriff Tim Rodenberg also spoke at the luncheon on behalf of the donors. He and his family established the Rodenberg Family Foundation Scholarship in 2012. 
 
Throughout its 40-year history, UC Clermont College has opened the door to higher education to thousands of students – many of whom believed a college degree to be an unattainable goal.
 
UC Clermont College is located in the center of Clermont County on 91 beautiful wooded acres in Batavia Township.  The college is an accredited, open-access college offering more than 50 programs and degrees. UC East, a Clermont County expansion in the former Ford plant in Batavia Township, opened in the fall of 2010. It is home to UC Clermont's Allied Health programs. The college is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. At UC Clermont College we bring the power of UC ... close to home! For more information, call 513-732-5200 or visit www.ucclermont.edu