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

August 2026

Bible Verse

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. (1 Peter 1:24-25)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/