2009 ROTC graduates commissioned as second lieutenants in U.S. Army

October 30, 2009

The University of Richmond’s Department of Military Science and Leadership commissioned its graduating ROTC students as second lieutenants in the United States Army on Saturday, May 9 at Cannon Memorial Chapel.

The commissioning ceremony is the culmination of four years of academic study, leadership training and physical fitness regimens. Graduates received their Presidential Appointment Certificate from University leadership and took the Officer Oath, administered by a commissioned officer. Their rank was pinned by family members, and they received their first salute.

Since the University of Richmond’s Spider Battalion drills students from six universities in the region, the commissioning students hailed from the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University and Randolph-Macon College. University leadership from all three schools were part of the ceremony and included University of Richmond President Edward Ayers, Dean Andrew Newcomb of Richmond’s School of Arts & Sciences, Chaplain O’Dwyer-Randall and Dr. Joanna Kong of the Department of Music; Virginia Commonwealth University Provost Stephen Gottfredson; and Randolph-Macon College’s dean of students, Grant Adzell.

Major General Jason Kamiya, commander of the Joint Warfighting Center and director of Joint Forces Training, US Army Joint Forces Command, made remarks. Kamiya holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Gonzaga University, a Master of Arts degree in national security affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Gonzaga University. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Executive Program for General Officers of the Russian Federation and the United States.

Posted May 13, 2009