Army ROTC Cadets at U of A Receive Honors

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Award winning ROTC cadets l-r: Cadet Stewart Tice, LTC Chuck Pudil Cadet Rachel Wilson and Chancellor G. David Gearhart.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps “Razorback Brigade” recognized 32 of its University of Arkansas cadets for outstanding accomplishments during their time in the program.

The Army ROTC program prepares young men and women attending participating colleges or universities to serve as officers in the United States Army and the U.S. Army Reserves. Graduates of the four year program are commissioned as second lieutenants.

“I am very proud of this group of cadets,” said Lt. Col. Chuck Pudil, commander of the Razorback Brigade. “The Army ROTC program here at the University of Arkansas provides the best leader development program in the world, combining strong academics with hands-on leadership, management, ethics, and personal confidence training, education and practice. These students will leave with their degrees and the experience they’ll need to be part of the future of the United States Army.”

Among the most prestigious awards presented during the annual April awards ceremony was the George C. Marshall, award, presented to the most outstanding fourth year cadet in the brigade, who demonstrates the leadership and scholastic qualities that epitomize the career of General Marshall. This year’s award was earned by Stewart L. Tice, of Conway. Cadet Tice also received the USAA Spirit Award and was named Superior Cadet for his senior class. In addition he was given the Top Cadet Award, for demonstrating total leadership in academics, physical training, and the overall ROTC program. He also presented a ceremonial saber, traditionally given to cadets who serve as Cadet Commander, a position he held during the spring semester. 

Rachel E. Wilson, a fourth year cadet from Aledo, Texas, received the U of A Chancellor’s Trophy, presented to a the cadet who’s leadership, actions and achievements have contributed the most to the overall ROTC program. Cadet Wilson also received a ceremonial sabre for her service as Cadet Commander in the fall semester.

The university’s Provost’s Trophy was awarded to Grayson R. Scott, a first-year cadet from Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. The trophy is given to the top cadet in the first- or second-year classes who has contributed the most — through leadership, acts and achievements — to the overall Razorback Brigade program.

Scott was also one of two cadets to receive the Bronze Superior Cadet medal. These medals are awarded to the outstanding cadet from each class, based on superior academics, morals, attitude, values, participation in campus activities, leadership ability and loyalty to the ROTC program. Other cadets earning Superior Cadet medals were:

• Bronze – Jacob Miller, a second-year cadet from Elgin, South Carolina
• Silver – Joshua D. Brite, a third-year cadet from Webb City, Missouri
• Gold – Stewart L. Tice, a fourth-year cadet from Conway

Additional individual awards were presented to Razorback Brigade cadets during the awards ceremony. These included:

The American Legion Auxiliary award, presented to a cadet who is active in school or community affairs. This award was given to Lysa E. Walterhouse, a second-year cadet from Cordova, Tennessee.

The American Veterans of World War II award, given to Walton D. Davis of Rogers, a third-year cadet. Davis also received the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction award, given to the second or third year cadet who was is in the top 25 percent of the brigade in ROTC and academic courses, contributed the most to encourage and demonstrate patriotism during extracurricular activities or community projects and who has demonstrated a potential for outstanding leadership.

The Association of the United States award, which goes to the third-year cadet who is in the top 10 percent of ROTC courses, top 25 percent of academic courses, and who has contributed the most, through leadership, to advancing the standing of the military sciences department at the U of A, was presented to Joshua Brite of Webb City, Missouri.  

In addition to this award and the Silver Superior Cadet award, Brite received the Reserve Officer’s Association Silver medal, as the third-year cadet showing the greatest desire to continue and graduate from the ROTC program.

Jack A. Powell, from Leawood, Kansas received the Association of the United States second-year cadet award. Cadet Powell also earned the Veterans of Foreign War award, given to a cadet who has demonstrated capability and diligence in the ROTC program.

Candace M. Catlett, a fourth-year cadet from Little Rock received the Daughters of the American Revolution award, presented to a member of the graduating class in the top 25 percent of cadets in ROTC and academic subjects, who has demonstrated qualities of loyalty and patriotism, dependability, good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership ability and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of ROTC training.

The General Society of the War of 1812 award was given to Kevin W. Dunavan, a second-year cadet from Marion in recognition of his good academic standing and high moral character.

The Lt. Col. Stauss Memorial award, given to the best first-year cadet in the Ranger Challenge program, was presented to Robert “Trace” Williams of Germantown, Tennessee.

The Military Officers Association of America award, given to a third-year cadet who has displayed a high order of loyalty to his unit, school and country, as well as exceptional potential for military leadership, was presented to Christopher R. Gentry of Fayetteville.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart award was presented to third-year cadet Robert L. McQuilkin of Dallas, Texas for his leadership, academic standing and activity in university and community affairs.

Mason B. Gibbons, a fourth-year cadet from North Little Rock received the National Defense Industrial Association award, given to a senior cadet on the basis of leadership, participation in campus activities, academic and ROTC class achievement and a high ROTC camp evaluation score.

The National Defense Transportation Association award, given to the top third-year cadet with a particular interest in the Transportation Corps, was presented to Tyler J. Brandt of Bentonville.

Emily N. Gray, a first-year cadet from Denton, Texas received the National Society Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America award, given to a first or second year cadet who has demonstrated leadership potential, patriotism and shown excellent knowledge of military history.

The Pallas Athene award, which recognizes the outstanding female fourth-year cadet, was given to Hannah E. Higgins of Helena.

The Sons of the American Revolution award was presented to first-year cadet Xavier M. Rodriguez. The award recognizes a first year cadet who shows exceptional leadership qualities, soldierly bearing and excellence.

The Special Forces Association award was earned by third-year cadet Vivien A. Moreno of Joplin, Missouri, who, on the basis of academic and physical training scores, leadership and loyalty, was recognized as the outstanding cadet in her class.

Third-year cadet Abigail Z. Witty earned the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War award, based on her high level of patriotism, academic performance and leadership. Cadet Witty also received The Retired Officers’ Association award, which recognizes an outstanding ROTC cadet who shows exceptional potential for military leadership.

Lance C. Lanier, a third-year cadet from Plano, Texas, received the Most Improved Cadet award.

Additional group awards were presented to members of each class of cadets. These included:

The American Legion Military Excellence award, given to cadets in the top 25 percent of their class in academic and ROTC subjects who have demonstrated outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character and citizenship.

• Bronze – Geoffrey L. Logan, first-year cadet from Shreveport, Louisiana
• Silver – Chase E. Richards, third-year cadet from Bentonville
• Gold – Stuart Allgood, fourth-year cadet from Batesville

The American Legion Scholastic Excellence award, given to cadets in the top 25 percent of their class in ROTC courses, the top 10 percent in academic courses, and who have been active in campus or community events and organizations.

• Bronze – Jacob S. Miller, second-year cadet from Elgin, South Carolina
• Silver – Dylan C. Blasi, third-year cadet from Bryant
• Gold – Christian T. Libby, fourth-year cadet from Royal.

The Military Order of the World Wars award, given to cadets who intend to continue in ROTC and become Army officers and who excel in all military and scholastic aspects of the ROTC program.

• Bronze – Eric L. Jeter, first-year cadet from Lakeway, Texas.
• Silver – Liston R. Barber, second-year cadet from Little Rock
• Gold – Ethan J. Sumrall, third-year cadet from Fayetteville

The National Sojourners award, presented to second-year and third-year cadets who have demonstrated the ideals of Americanism and the potential for outstanding leadership.

• Bronze – Eric G. Babcock, second-year cadet from Fayetteville
• Silver – Chase E. Richards, third-year cadet from Bentonville

The Reserve Officer’s Association award, given to second-, third- and fourth-year cadets in the top 10 percent of their class, who have indicated their desire to become a commissioned officer and who have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, moral character and high aptitude for military service.

• Bronze – Ryan L. Rogers, second-year cadet from Clarksville
• Silver – Joshua D. Brite, third-yea cadet from Webb City, Missouri
• Gold – Charles D. Boykin, fourth-year cadet from Roland.