On Friday, May 13, family and friends proudly gathered to witness 12 cadets from the University of Arkansas Army ROTC become second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. This is the list of those who commissioned:

• Eric Babcock
  • Degree: French and international relations
  • Branched: Active Duty Military Intelligence Corps with a branch detail of Armor
• Liston Barber
  • Degree: environmental soil and water science
  • Branched: Active Duty Medical Service Corps
• Tyler Brandt
  • Degree: environmental soil and water science
  • Branched: Active Duty Medical Service Corps
• Tyler Casey
  • Degree: geography
  • Branched: Colorado National Guard Infantry Branch
• Kevin Dunavan
  • Degree: environmental soil and water science
  • Branched: Active Duty Medical Service Corps
• Lance Lanier
  • Degree: nursing
  • Branched: Active Duty Army Nursing Corps
• Jacob Miller
  • Degree: international relations with a minor in political science
  • Branched:  Active Duty Military Intelligence Corps with a branch detail of Armor
• Jack Powell
  • Degree: agricultural business
  • Branched: Active Duty Chaplain Corps - Christian Faith (after attending seminary)
• Josh Pultro
  • Degree: management
  • Branched: Active Duty Armor Branch
• Ryan Rogers
  • Degree: Spanish, sociology and criminal justice
  • Branched: Active Duty Infantry Branch
• Lysa Walterhouse
  • Degree: international relations with an emphasis in Asian studies and a minor in Japanese
  • Branched: Active Duty Transportation Corps
• Tyler Woolbright
  • Degree: criminal justice
  • Branched: Arkansas National Guard Infantry Branch

Six of the new second lieutenants were given the Distinguished Graduate Award from Cadet Command, signed by Major Gen. Peggy Combs, commander of Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Second Lieutenant Jacob Miller was this year's George C. Marshall award winner, given to one cadet in the U of A battalion of about 100 cadets who demonstrates "leadership and scholastic qualities that epitomized the career of General Marshall."  

The guest speaker at the event was Brig. Gen. Keith Klemmer, deputy adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. Chancelor Joseph Steinmetz presented the Chancelor's Challenge coin to each of the newly commissioned officers. This coin is given to all graduates who serve or formerly served in the military.

The University of Arkansas Army ROTC is very proud of our newly commissioned officers. May they serve their country well.