Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Cameron Weldy watched older brother Connor get commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant during Grand Canyon University’s Army ROTC ceremony two years ago.
That gave Cameron an extra nudge as he followed in Connor’s footsteps during Friday’s commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre.
“A lot of structure,” Cameron said of the process that led him and 14 fellow cadets to be commissioned and lead enlisted personnel as officers in the Army.
Cameron embraced the challenge of education, faith and commitment to service at GCU.
“It's meant a lot to me,” said Cameron, who served in the Army Reserves as a motor transportation operator for three years and will serve in the active-duty logistics branch at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. “I think it's really helped kind of guide my life in the right direction. It's got me kind of motivated to always be pushing myself. So it's been a great time.”
Cameron reflected on the juggling act of academics and service.
“It definitely sometimes could be a challenge,” Cameron said. “A lot of balancing military responsibilities and school responsibilities, but I think that's something the military helped me with.”
It might have been a coincidence, but Colangelo College of Business Dean John Kaites delivered the university message to the commissioned officers – including eight who earned degrees from the college.
Kaites emphasized trust, leadership and service. “The truth matters more than ever.”
Stefanie Tanner put her trust in GCU’s Army ROTC program as a transfer while her parents resided in Germany.
“I think the biggest thing that I've gained is my faith,” said Tanner, a business management graduate. “I wasn't very close to God at all before I came to GCU, and I was at a different Christian school.
Enrolling at GCU as a sophomore “completely changed the way that I lived my life.”
Guest speaker Dr. Richard Holland, an associate professor of philosophy in the College of Theology at GCU and former U.S. Army officer, emphasized readiness and people.
“Decide right now that you will spend every day becoming a better person by cultivating and developing a virtuous life in your heart and mind,” Holland said. “Make this commitment now, because if you wait until this challenge comes, it will be too late.
“Your commitment to being better tomorrow than you are today will set an example for those around you and will do more to make you a leader than your rank or position.”
Juan Loera Rogers Jr. treasured the investments GCU’s Army ROTC program put into cadets.
“They buy into development,” said Loera Rogers, an applied management major who has served in the U.S. Army for nine years. “(From freshmen to senior years), they’re bought in the whole time so every step of the way they make sure they feel they’re taken care of. So that way you can be the best leader you can be.
“Once they get out and see the real Army, see it (through) soldiers’ lives and the things that they will need as individuals living their own lives, they already have more wherewithal of how to deal with that and take care of soldiers. I think that's what's most important, taking care of soldiers, especially as a platoon leader.”
Louis Odom, who was supported by a large contingent of family members from his hometown of San Jose, California, welcomed the added responsibilities he took on as a senior business management major.
“I was in charge of all the cadets of the program, so that took a lot away from my time,” said Odom, who will be stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. “But I managed it really well, and it was a great year.
“It brought everyone together. All my friends are from the ROTC program. It’s really solidified my faith. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”
Benjamin Coleman reflected on the four years he spent in GCU’s Army ROTC program and marveled over the university’s support, from reserving fields for training in the morning to the Kaibab Building headquarters.
“GCU has really supported us to not only grow our faith but also grow our careers while fostering education,” said Coleman, who will be stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, as an active-duty medical services officer.
“It’s a testament to everyone here. We all put a lot of work in.”
Other GCU graduates who became 2nd lieutenants in the Army were:
- Nicholas Barrientos, bachelor’s degree in applied management. He has served in the Army for nine years and has been deployed to Iraq and Latvia.
- Emma Davisson, bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is commissioned into active duty field artillery.
- Anthony Dix, bachelor’s degree in justice studies. He has served in the Army since 2018 and has completed air assault school.
- Colton Fritz, bachelor’s degree in history. He was named 2024 Best Cadet in the Arizona Army National Guard.
- Cristian Garcia Valenzuela, bachelor’s degree in justice studies. He has served five years in the Arizona National Guard as military police.
- Matthew Krauss, bachelor’s degree in justice studies. He is branching military police in the Army National Guard.
- Sergio Machuca, bachelor’s degree in finance and economics. He will commission active duty as an infantry officer before transitioning to military intelligence.
- Rosalie Menyeng Messi, bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis in pre-dentistry.
- Andrew Simeri, bachelor’s degree in applied cybersecurity management. He will be commissioning active duty air defense artillery.
- Garth Tourville, bachelor’s degree in applied science. He has served 11 years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman, achieving the rank of sergeant first class.
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected].
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