On Tuesday, July 22, the ONU Alumni Association hosted a special gathering for alumni pilots and their families in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, alongside the world-renowned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The evening brought together 31 attendees, including 16 pilots who share both a love for aviation and a deep connection to Olivet Nazarene University.
The group represented an incredible variety of backgrounds — from commercial and corporate pilots to recreational flyers, from current military aviators to those with experience in historic war planes, from jets to sea planes, and from student pilots just beginning their journeys to veterans with more than 20,000 flight hours.
Though their paths varied, the sense of camaraderie was immediate, grounded in both their profession and their shared Olivet roots.
Building a Strong Alumni Network
“This was an overwhelming and encouraging response,” said Dr. Don Reddick ’79, director of Friends of the Fine Arts and pilot who helped coordinate the gathering. “Even more remarkable is that there are over 15 additional Olivet alumni pilots who couldn’t attend this year. The enthusiasm from this group was so strong that everyone unanimously requested we repeat the event in the future.”
The evening highlighted the unique network of Olivet alumni in aviation — an affinity group that continues to grow in number and connection. To foster these types of relationships year-round, alumni are encouraged to join Olivet Connect, a platform designed to bring together Olivet graduates with shared interests and professions.
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for the next gathering at EAA Oshkosh 2026. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and if you’d like to be part of this memorable event, contact Dr. Don Reddick at dreddick@olivet.edu.
