“There is a quote that is fitting of this moment: “We all drink from wells we didn’t dig, and are warmed by fires we didn’t build,” said Dean Greg Sojka. Joining Dean Sojka on stage to accept the award were former Deans Jim McDonough and Mick McLaughlin.
“There is an old photo of the founding members of this college sitting on a hay wagon in a field. The people in that hay wagon – 40 plus years ago – had the vision to bring a college here to Clermont County. A small group of people saw this land and could see that it would be an investment in the future of this region. I am happy to say, 40 years later that they were right. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be the region’s higher education provider. we appreciate being recognized…but more importantly, we appreciate the fact that we have been able to continue to expand the vision of those that came before us,” said Sojka.
UC Clermont College shared the evening with two individual Pacesetter winners – the Edward J. Parish Pacesetter – Tom Rocklin and the Martha Dorsey Public Servant Pacesetter – Chris Smith.
Sojka said it’s exciting that the college is being recognized as a corporate pacesetter, which is given to an organization that exhibits citizenship and leadership and he shares the award with faculty, staff and students of the college.