Spring 2025 GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

By Ralph Freso

Seventeen Reserved Officers' Training Corps cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army during a ceremony on Friday morning at Grand Canyon University's Ethington Theatre.

  • Retired Maj. John Rees welcomes cadets, family and guests to the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • GCU Army ROTC cadets stand during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Former GCU Army ROTC Director Trish Shipley sings the national anthem during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Jeremy Mack delivers the university message during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Guest speaker retired Maj. Troy Merkle addresses the cadets during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Cadets recite the commissioning oath during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Cadets recite the commissioning oath during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Nicholas Bessler receives his first salute as an officer during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Meredith Estrada gets her second lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Army 2nd Lt. Meredith Estrada and Lt. Col. Ryan Whipple during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Joshua Howeth gets his second lieutenant bars pinned during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Cadet Tyler Izzo gets his second lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Tyler Izzo with Lt. Col. Ryan Whipple following the pinning of his second lieutenant bars during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Tanner Kane gets his second lieutenant bars pinned by his wife during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Corinne Marceau gets her second lieutenant bars pinned by family members during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Corinne Marceau receives her first salute as an officer during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Samuel Moore gets his second lieutenant bars pinned by his parents during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Samuel Moore with Lt. Col. Ryan Whipple following the pinning of his second lieutenant bars during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Cadet Finn Morabe gets a kiss from his mother after having his second lieutenant bars pinned during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Abigail Oletski gets a hug from a family member after receiving her second lieutenant bars during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Abigail Oletski receives her first salute as an officer during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • 2nd Lt. Abigail Oletski and Lt. Col. Ryan Whipple following the pinning of her second lieutenant bars during the GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Calvin Shanks gets his second lieutenant bars pinned by his wife and children during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Calvin Shanks is congratulated after receiving his first salute as an officer during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • 2nd Lt. Calvin Shanks and Lt. Col. Ryan Whipple following the pinning of his second lieutenant bars during the GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Hadden Stark receives his first salute as an officer during the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Lt. Col. Ryan Whipple offers closing remarks during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Meredith Estrada looks on during the GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Newly commissioned officers congratulate each other during the GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • From left, newly commissioned officers Meredith Estrada, Corinne Marceau and Abigail Oletski congratulate each other during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • From left, newly commissioned second lieutenants Meredith Estrada, Corinne Marceau and Abigail Oletski congratulate each other during the GCU Spring 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Denzell Beecham gets a kiss from his mother following the GCU Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.
  • Former GCU Army ROTC Director Trish Shipley offers well wishes to newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Abigail Oletski following the commissioning ceremony at Ethington Theatre on May 9, 2025.

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GCU Magazine

August 2026

Bible Verse

It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:15-16)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/