Nine ROTC cadets commission as new Army officers

Eight McDaniel graduating seniors and one graduate student from The Green Terror Battalion were commissioned as Army officers during a virtual ceremony on May 22. Cadets from Mount St. Mary’s University and Hood College were commissioned in separate virtual ceremonies.

All parts of the commissioning were conducted remotely, with participants connecting through Zoom and then streaming on Facebook.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Donald Schenk, commissioned through the ROTC program at McDaniel and a key member of the Military Science department at McDaniel from 1979-1982, served as the keynote speaker. Schenk has had a wide-ranging and impactful career spanning almost five decades of service to America's soldiers and veterans through positions in the Army, in industry, and as a volunteer.

“Your commission is a charge from the President and the people to carefully and diligently discharge those duties demanded of you," Brigadier General (Ret.) Donald Schenk said.

Before the cadets received their second lieutenant bars, Schenk addressed them, calling it a great day for the U.S. Army and the nation.

“Our coming together is proof that we will let nothing diminish this day,” he said. “Indeed, our gathering proves our spirit and our resilience.”

Celebrating the cadets’ journey to the point of commissioning, Schenk recognized the cadets as new officers, charged with awesome responsibilities.

“Each of you has answered the call and for that a nation is grateful,” he said, explaining that a commission is more than a piece of paper. “Your commission is a charge from the President and the people to carefully and diligently discharge those duties demanded of you.”

Among those duties is, importantly, to “safeguard the nation and its treasures – America's sons and daughters.”

During his 35-year military career, Schenk led a variety of operational and acquisition organizations focused on protecting America's freedom. His defense acquisition assignments covered the breadth of Army and Marine Corps weapon systems resulting in the fielding of significant warfighting capability for the United States and its allies. 

In recognition of his service to the nation, in 2005 he was presented the prestigious McDaniel College Trustee Award. Upon retirement from the Army, he entered a civilian business career, serving from 2009 to 2017 in a variety of staff and executive leadership positions at General Dynamics in both Michigan and Israel.

Today he dedicates his energies in a variety of veteran-focused areas as a key advisor to the executive director of Fisher House Michigan, which offers military families a place to stay while a family member is being treated in a hospital. He coordinates mentoring and networking initiatives for active duty and veteran members of his college fraternity and serves as chief of staff of the Jewish War Veterans Department of Michigan.

A graduate of the Army War College and Defense Acquisition University, he earned degrees from McDaniel College and Central Michigan University. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit awards, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medals and numerous service medals. He resides in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., with Janet, his wife of 30 years.

McDaniel cadets earning U.S. Army commissions are:

Andre Berry of Westminster, Md., is a three-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in German with a minor in Computer Science. During his college career, he completed a Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program mission to Poland and Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 2LT Berry will serve in the active component and will attend the Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, beginning in May. His first duty station will be Vilseck, Germany.

Joseph Bigott of Keymar, Md., is a two-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. During his college career, he completed Basic Camp and Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 2LT Bigott will serve in the active component and will attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. His Officer Basic Course date and assignment are pending.         

William Bower of Emmitsburg, Md., is a three-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with a specialization in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. During his college career, he completed Basic Camp and Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 2LT Bower will serve in the active component and will attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, beginning in November.  His duty assignment is pending.

Ethan Cortes of Westminster, Md., is a four-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During his college career, he completed Basic Camp and Advance Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as well as serving as an MS 3 Leader Trainer following Advance Camp. 2LT Cortes will serve in the active component and will attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.  His Officer Basic Course date and assignment are pending.

Grace Gnatowski of Mount Airy, Md., is a two-year scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. During her college career, she completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 2LT Gnatowski will serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard and will attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, beginning in July 2020. She will be assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Field Artillery Regiment as a Fire Direction Officer.

Carson Marshall of Brookeville, Md., is a three-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and a minor in Performance, Fitness, and Conditioning.  During his college career, he completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Based on his performance, Cadet Marshall was identified as a Graduate Distinguished Military. 2LT Marshall will serve in the active component and will attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, starting in June.  He will be assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.  

Andrew Murphy of Eldersburg, Md., is a three-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. During his college career, he completed Advance Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and a Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program mission to Nepal. Based on his performance, Cadet Murphy was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. 2LT Murphy will serve in the active component and will attend the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He will be assigned to the 25ID (Airborne) at Ft. Richardson, Alaska.           

Cross Okereke is a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet currently pursuing a master’s degree at McDaniel in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health specialization. He completed Advance Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 2LT Okereke will serve in the Maryland National Guard and will attend the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, at a date to be determined. He will be assigned to the 629th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion as a platoon leader.

Caleb White of Glen Burnie, Md., is a two-year ROTC scholarship recipient who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with honors and a specialization in Policy and management. During his college career, he completed Basic Camp and Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 2LT White will serve in the active component and will attend the Air Defense Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, beginning in June.  His first duty station will be Korea.