Written By Daniel Clark '87

Walking the halls of CC again with Tim Burke — Class of ‘86 and Director of Alumni Relations — after 39 years was both nostalgic and inspiring. His knowledge of the school’s history and his own Shamrock roots helped surface memories I hadn’t thought about in decades.

Seeing the new Aviation Center especially resonated with me — there was no aviation program during my years there, yet the education and values CC gave me became the foundation for a career I never could have imagined.

After CC, I attended the United States Air Force Academy, earned a degree in English Literature, later completed master’s degrees in Aviation and Logistics Management, and spent more than three decades in and out of uniform serving as an Air Force pilot, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III instructor pilot, squadron commander, and international airlift advisor. Today I serve as director of C-17 aircrew training programs for FlightSafety International, supporting the U.S. Air Force and allied nations around the world.

The greatest gift CC gave me wasn’t simply an education. It was the character, discipline, and confidence to accept responsibility before I felt completely ready. The Basilian tradition of “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge” prepared me to keep saying “yes” to opportunities that seemed just beyond my reach.

Throughout my life, one quote has guided many of the biggest decisions I’ve made:

“To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour.” — Winston Churchill

That philosophy shaped every fork in the road — from accepting my appointment to the Air Force Academy, to becoming a pilot, commanding a C-17 squadron, serving overseas, and eventually leading large international military training organizations. Every one of those opportunities began with someone tapping me on the shoulder. Because of the foundation Catholic Central gave me, I tried to make sure I was prepared to answer, “Yes.”

Returning today and seeing young men beginning their own journeys reminded me that somewhere among them are future military leaders, engineers, physicians, entrepreneurs, teachers, priests, and even future aviators. They will not know today where life will take them, but CC is giving them the same foundation it gave me nearly four decades ago.

I will always be grateful to be a Shamrock — and proud that CC is still preparing young men to answer “yes” when their moment comes.