10/09/2026
đžTodayâs Bulldog Alumni Spotlight: Austin Menker, Class of 2016đž
Austin Menker (Class of 2016) has built a life centered around service, family, and community. Austin currently serves as a Trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol at the Piqua Post. He lives in Russia, Ohio, with his wife, Brooke, their twin daughters, Oakley and Olivia, and their German Shepherd, Raider. While Austin takes great pride in his career, he says his greatest accomplishment is the family he and his wife have built together.
Following graduation from Milton-Union, Austin served seven years in the United States Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq. He describes that experience, along with his continued career in public service, as one of his proudest professional achievements. In 2025, Austin was honored as the Ohio State Highway Patrol Piqua Post Trooper of the Year, a recognition that reflects his commitment to serving others.
Looking back, Austin says one of the most important lessons he has learned is that success comes through consistency, hard work, and the way you treat people. Life may not always follow the path you expect, but discipline, perseverance, and strong relationships can carry you through any challenge.
Some of Austin's favorite memories from Milton-Union include the 2016 football season and winning league championships in wrestling during his junior and senior years. Athletics played a major role in shaping his character, and one coach left a lasting impression.
Coach Art Ratcliff was more than a wrestling coach to Austin. Beginning in first grade, Coach Ratcliff became a mentor and father figure who continued to support him long after graduation. Austin credits Coach Ratcliff with helping shape the person he is today. He also extends his gratitude to Mrs. August, Mrs. Avey, Mrs. Fasick, and Ms. Hill, educators who held him accountable, believed in him, and continued to encourage him beyond his high school years. Austin says their investment in him as both a student-athlete and a person made a lasting impact.
Growing up in West Milton taught Austin the importance of hard work, respect, accountability, and pride in what you do. Those values have stayed with him throughout his military service, law enforcement career, and family life.
His advice to current students is simple:
"Don't worry about having everything figured out. Set goals, surround yourself with good and like-minded people, and be willing to put in the work when things get hard. Be someone your younger self, your community, and your family would be proud of."
Austin believes being a Bulldog is about more than attending school. It represents a community and friendships that last a lifetime.
"Being a Bulldog isn't just something you were in high school. It represents your community and friendships that last forever. No matter where life takes you, you'll always have a home to come back to and a community that cares about you. It's a place to slow down and remember where you came from."
Reflecting on his journey, Austin shares that without the investment of his teachers, coaches, and lifelong friendships formed at Milton-Union, he would not be the person he is today. What began in the small town of West Milton has taken him through 12 states and 4 countries and now has him raising his own family just north of the community that helped shape him.
Thank you, Austin, for your service, leadership, and for representing Bulldog pride so well.
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Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog! đž
