Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

By Ralph Freso

Seventeen cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army on Friday during the GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre. Story

  • Retired Army Maj. John Rees addresses family and guests of cadets during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre.
  • GCU ROTC cadet Denzel Beecham performs the national anthem during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • GCU ROTC cadet Denzel Beecham performs the national anthem.
  • Dean of Students Dr. Tim Griffin addresses family and guests of cadets during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • GCU ROTC cadets listen during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • GCU ROTC cadets listen during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Guest speaker U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. Victor Perez.
  • Family and guests watch the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Cadets take the oath of office during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Cadets take the oath of office during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Nicholas Astorga gets his lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Aaron Avellanoza gets his lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Alexa Bradley receives her first salute as an officer during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Adam Marrone gets his lieutenant bars pinned by girlfriend Whitney Wilson during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Taliyah Calloway receives her first salute as an officer from father Carl Calloway during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Taliyah Calloway receives her commission certificate from Col. Erich Schneider during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Jacob Doest gets his lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Jacob Doest embraces his father after getting his lieutenant bars during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Jacob Doest receives his first salute as an officer from his grandfather during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Matthew Greymont gets his lieutenant bars pinned by his wife during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Zachary Hendricks receives his first salute as his proud parents watch from the stage.
  • Zachary Hendricks receives his commission certificate from Col. Erich Schneider.
  • Tristen Martin gets his lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Tristen Martin receives his first salute as an officer during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Isabel Prado-Toledo gets her lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Isabel Prado-Toledo and friend following her first salute during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Ruben Ruiz gets his lieutenant bars pinned by brother Anthony Ruiz.
  • Austin White gets his lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Winter White (right) clings to big brother Austin White as he gets pinned with his lieutenant bars during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Dazarian Williams gets his lieutenant bars pinned by brother Dalajawon Williams during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Dazarian Williams gets a kiss from his wife, Tommi Williams, after being pinned with his lieutenant bars.
  • Dazarian Williams receives his commission certificate from Col. Erich Schneider.
  • Col. Erich Schneider offers closing remarks to the newly commissioned officers during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officers sing "The Army Goes Rolling Along" during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officers congratulate each other following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • GCU ROTC Coordinator Trish Shipley celebrates with newly commissioned officer Taliyah Calloway following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officer Jacob Doest gets a kiss from his wife, Sydney, during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officer Zachary Hendricks with his officer’s saber during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officer Taliyah Calloway and her mother, LaRussia Calloway, following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Cadet Zachary Hendricks looks over his commission certificate during the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officer Jacob Doest and his fellow cadets present Master Sgt. Jamie Weaver with the unit’s guidon battalion flag following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Newly commissioned officer Conner Weldy following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony.
  • Cadets and their families enjoy food and refreshments at a reception in Thunderground following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre.
  • Purple soldiers accent table decorations at a reception in Thunderground following the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre.

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GCU Magazine

ViewCurrent February 2026

Bible Verse

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!" (Matthew 20:17-19)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/