U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti, Class of 2025, has been selected for the Holaday Scholarship, a fully-funded 2-year postgraduate program in the United Kingdom.
After graduating from the Academy in 1965, Bart Holaday spent two years as a Rhodes Scholar at Exeter College at Oxford University. He and his late wife, Lynn, created the Holaday Scholarship to provide a deserving Academy cadet with the same educational opportunity he benefited from as a young man. The scholarship funds two years of graduate study for a master’s degree in any field.
“The award of a Holaday Scholarship to Cadet Luca Valenti is a testament to his exemplary character, commitment to service, and dedication as a warfighter scholar,” said Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, U.S. Air Force Academy Dean of the Faculty. “This honor not only celebrates Valenti’s hard work and achievements but also reflects the strength of our Academy community that empowers cadets to excel in leadership and academics.”
Valenti is an aeronautical engineering major who will graduate and commission into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant in May.
“Being selected as a Holaday Scholar is an immense honor,” said Valenti. “It offers the chance to engage with an international academic community, working alongside leading experts in fields that spark my curiosity—particularly avian-inspired engineering research.”
Last summer, Valenti interned at Oxford University where he explored ways that bird mechanics might help to produce extraterrestrial drone flight. This research he said, “echoes the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy.” His “Codex of Flight” showed Valenti the importance of observing natural principles to inspire technology.
During his time at the Academy, Valenti participated in multiple research projects. One study, inspired by avian flight, investigated how slight longitudinal instability in fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles could expand payload capacity. The study modeled aircraft dynamics on the example of birds carrying prey heavier than themselves. This research led to a student paper which he published and presented at Saint Louis University and the Astronaut Scholar Technical Conference 2024.
“Being named a Holaday Scholar validates that hard work and perseverance truly pay off,” said Valenti. “The demands of my journey have been great, and this scholarship assures me that every sacrifice was worthwhile.”
“Cadet Valenti’s journey is shaped by the support of faculty mentors, research opportunities, and leadership programs that prepare him to lead with character,” said Letendre. “We are thrilled for Cadet Valenti and all those who contributed to this remarkable accomplishment.”
The Rome, Italy, native will enter U.S. Air Force undergraduate pilot training following his time in the United Kingdom.
Official photo: Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti
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For more information, please contact U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications at (719) 333- 7731 or email media.rel@afacademy.af.edu