CAVU is an aviation acronym that stands for “ceiling and visibility unlimited.” Translated, it describes the perfect conditions in which to be a pilot. As a decorated F-16 fighter pilot with the U.S. Air Force and two-time recipient of the Top Gun award, Lt. Col. Dan Rooney knows a little something about the topic.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center will welcome Lt. Col. Rooney as part of the LMC Speaker Series. Beyond his role with the Air Force, he is a PGA professional golfer, philanthropist, and a best-selling author of two books.
During his presentation “CAVU: Live Unlimited,” he will deliver motivational messages about leadership, fighter pilot lessons, unlocking talents through faith, and embracing resistance with a resilient spirit…guaranteed to inspire his audience!
A decorated F-16 fighter pilot, Rooney is best known for founding Folds of Honor, a leading non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has provided nearly 52,000 life-changing scholarships totaling approximately $244 million.
Rooney’s life calling of “inspiring people to help people” is made obvious by his variety of roles. A USA Today bestselling author, he is a highly sought-after motivational speaker who has addressed over 1,000 corporations and groups across America.
As a Class A Member of the PGA, he founded two nationally ranked golf clubs, The Patriot Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan, in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus. He is a frequent guest on national media, including podcasts, radio, and network television, such as Fox News. Rooney has been recognized as one of People Magazine’s “Heroes of the Year,” Money Magazine’s “Hero of the Year,” and ABC World News Tonight’s “Persons of the Year.”
Rooney has continued his military service after three combat tours in Iraq, where he flew the F-16 Viper. He currently is stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, where he has been given the unique position to act as a U.S. Air Force ambassador with the task of inspiring the next generation of service members to give the same devotion to the country he has so proudly demonstrated throughout his career.
Rooney is a two-time recipient of the Top Gun award and has received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Anti-terrorism Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, and Air Expeditionary Medal. For his service and patriotism, he was presented the White House’s “Presidential Volunteer Service Award” by President George W. Bush, as well as the Air National Guard’s “Distinguished Service Medal,” the “Directors Service Award,” and the Ellis Island “Medal of Honor.”
Tickets for Rooney’s presentation are available now at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events.
