Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools inducted seven new alumni into its Hall of Fame Thursday, April 19, 2018, at a special induction ceremony at Eastland Career Center in Groveport. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is part of the district’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Individuals were nominated for the honor from colleagues, relatives, teachers, and more. Started in 1988, the Hall of Fame has more than 50 inductees.
“For 30 years now we have inducted deserving alumni into our Hall of Fame, recognizing their accomplishments after they’ve completed one of our programs,” said Bonnie Hopkins, superintendent of Eastland-Fairfield for the past eight years. “We are always excited to showcase not only their career accomplishments, but what they’ve accomplished in life. They are contributing to society in positive ways, both economically and through their hours of volunteerism. These inductees truly represent some of our finest.”
One of the inductees was Patrick White, a 2005 graduate and RCS alumni. Following completion of the Law Enforcement program, Patrick continued his education at Columbus State Community College, earning his associate’s degree in criminal justice. He went to work for the Department of Homeland Security and was selected to and graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol as a state trooper in 2014. Since becoming a state trooper, Patrick was named as the Lancaster Post Trooper of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. In 2017, he was selected by the Ohio State Highway Patrol District Six Command Staff as the 2017 District Six Trooper of the Year. Accolades for his service have been consistent throughout his career. He has received the Ohio State Highway Patrol District Six Chiaramonte Humanitarian Award in both 2016 and 2017 for his hours of community service. Other awards earned in his career as a trooper include the Seat Belt Enforcement Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award for Excellence, Criminal Patrol Award, Misdemeanor Criminal Patrol Award, OVI Enforcement Award, to name a few. In 2016 he was selected by the Knights of Columbus for the Blue Coat Award for Fairfield County, an award presented to first responders for exemplary service and dedication to the citizens of the county.
“I am very grateful for this nomination. I would not be the man nor the trooper I am today without the education I received from the Eastland Career Center Law Enforcement Program and from my former instructor, Mr. Dan Garnder,” said Patrick.
Patrick is certified through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency response to critical incidents, as well as in first aid response through the American Red Cross. He is also a certified peace officer through the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy. He volunteers his time at multiple high schools through three counties delivering presentations on avoidance of prescription drug addiction. He also volunteers at elementary schools with various events like Cop and Kids Days, Touch-a-Truck public safety events and reads to students through the Books and Badges program. He volunteers with both the Eastland and Fairfield Career Center’s Criminal Justice programs, the Fairfield County Sheriff Office Community Watch, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Fairfield and Perry County Fairs, and more.
“I promote Eastland-Fairfield during all of my community outreach, and I encourage both future students and parents to consider the career center programs,” said Patrick. “I always explain just how much the career centers have impacted both my personal and professional life.”