Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Aaron Radatz graduated from CMU with a business degree in 2000, but he had his sights set on becoming an illusionist/magician long before graduation.

Aaron started performing magic at age 6 when his grandmother gave him a magic set for Christmas. He began performing professionally at age 14, and at 21, he was the youngest known magician to headline at a casino.

Throughout his years at CMU, he entertained crowds at home and abroad, working hard to position himself among the ranks of veteran magicians like David Copperfield and Harry Blackstone Jr.

In fact, Aaron has been called the next Copperfield, and his rigorous tour schedule since graduation has taken him from Las Vegas to Budapest. Aaron is the only magician to apprentice with the late Blackstone Jr. on stage.

In 2000 the Pentagon commissioned him for a command performance for the U.S. military. The following year Aaron represented the United States at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas.

While at CMU, Aaron regularly performed shows to raise money for Alternative Spring Break. He now participates in the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Humane Society. Each month he donates a show to a charitable cause in the city where he is performing.