Nine ROTC cadets receive Army commissions
Nine McDaniel College graduating seniors were commissioned as Army officers at 10 a.m. May 19 in a ceremony in Baker Memorial Chapel. Hood College and Mount St. Mary’s cadets were commissioned in separate ceremonies.
In his remarks, McDaniel President Roger N. Casey recognized Lt. Colonel Eric S. Atherton, professor of Military Science, who is retiring, for his service, as well as his leadership of the Green Terror Battalion.
Retired Lt. Gen. Otto J. Guenther ’63, the highest-ranking military officer to ever graduate from the College and current member of the McDaniel College Board of Trustees, served as the keynote speaker.
He spoke about having the opportunity to sit down a few weeks ago with some of the cadets.
“I saw confidence. I saw caring for each other. I saw an anxiousness to serve,” Guenther said. “I saw knowledge — ready to go out in the world; filled with wisdom and maturity; motivated and very physically fit. You left me with absolutely no concerns about your training at McDaniel and your personal desire to serve.”
The following McDaniel seniors took the oath of office and received commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army:
Jesse F. Guttman of Chevy Chase, Md., is a three-and-a-half year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in History. During his college career, he completed Drill Cadet Leadership Training (DCLT) and Advanced Camp. Guttman branched into the United States Army Reserve and will attend the Chemical Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He will then be assigned to the 7th Psychological Operations Group in Mountain View, Calif.
Matthew Nicholas Howard of Thurmont, Md., graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Howard branched into the Tennessee National Guard and will attend the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course in Fort Sill, Okla. He will be assigned to the Field Artillery Squadron 278th in Gallatin, Tenn.
Bradley Hull of Keedysville, Md., is a four-year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree Sociology. Hull is going active duty and will attend the Chemical Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He will then be assigned to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 25th Infantry Division, in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Sean W. Kaliszak of New Freedom, Pa., is a three-and-a-half year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education. During his ROTC career, he completed training at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation and Air Assault. Kaliszak is going active duty and will attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Ga.
Kelly Ann Lewis of Apex, N.C., is a two-year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. During her college career, she completed Advanced Camp and Drill Cadet Leadership Training (DCLT). Lewis is going active duty and will attend the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course at Fort Lee, Va. She will then be assigned to the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Abby Victoria Phillips of New Freedom, Pa., is a two-and-a-half year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education. During her college career, she completed Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) and the Cadet Leader’s Course (CLC). Phillips branched into the National Guard and will attend the Aviation Officer Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Ala. She will then be assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard, A Company 2/104th Aviation, at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Aaron Mark Sampson of Towson, Md., is a three-year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. During his college career, he completed Annual Training with the Maryland Army National Guard, as well as Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET). Sampson branched into the Maryland National Guard and will attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Ga. He will then be assigned to A Company 1-175th Infantry.
Andrew Patrick Schiller of New Market, Md., is a three-and-a-half year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education. During his college career, he participated in the Cultural Language and Understanding Program (CULP) in Croatia and Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) in Hawaii. Schiller is serving active duty and will attend the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Fort Lee, Va. He will then be assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky.
David Steven Thornberry of Germantown, Md., is a three-year ROTC scholarship recipient graduating with a bachelor’s degree in History. During his college career, he completed the Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) and the Cadet Leader’s Course (CLC). Thornberry will serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard and will attend the Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He will then be assigned to Detachment 1, 1069th Military Police (MP) Company in Annville, Pa.
(Front L-R) McDaniel College President Roger N. Casey, Kelly Ann Lewis, Bradley Hull, Sean W. Kaliszak, Abby Victoria Phillips, Senior Military Instructor MSG Nicholas Martinelli; (Back L-R) LTG (Ret) Otto J. Guenther '63, Andrew Patrick Schiller, Aaron Mark Sampson, Jesse F. Guttman, David Steven Thornberry, Matthew Nicholas Howard, Lieutenant Colonel Eric S. Atherton
