Foothill Ranch Graduating Senior Cadet Receives Assignment

LAKE FOREST, CA — All U.S. Army ROTC cadets studying at colleges and universities across the country, regardless of the size of their institution, are ranked among their class based on criteria such as grade-point average, physical training scores and serving in leadership positions. Foothill Ranch area SRU Senior Cadet and homeland security major, Austin Shakespeare, was assigned to active duty, Field Artillery, they said.

In all, Slippery Rock University had two cadets ranked in the top 10 percent and an additional two cadets ranked in the top 20 percent this year out of more than 5,000 senior cadets nationwide, earning them National Distinguished Military Graduate recognition.

"That's indicative of the type of program we have at SRU," said Capt. Joseph Barrow, assistant professor of military science, who is part of the Army ROTC cadre at SRU. "This shows that our cadets are competing at a high level and we're producing high quality officers. We have some commanders in the Army who, as soon as they see that a cadet is from SRU, they don't even need to interview (our graduates); they know that coming from our program that they are going to perform at a very high level and they are accepted for positions throughout the Army. That's the reputation we have."

The seniors had three battalion commanders during their four years, Lt. Cols. John Donlin, Jeffrey Barta and Joseph Richey. Appleby and Miller also credit other former and current cadre members, including: Sgt. Jason Vandegrift, former instructor of military science; Brett Rogowitz, advisement, enrollment and scholarship officer; Capt. Adam Readout, assistant professor of military science; Master Sgt. Taylor Donohoe, senior military science instructor; Melvin Carr, assistant professor of military science; Daniel Renaud, supply/logistic technician; Christopher Wolf, human resources assistant; and Staff Sgt. Ryan Graeves, Army National Guard liaison.

Of the 14 senior cadets at SRU, 10 were assigned to active duty and three to the National Guard following their May 2019 graduation and commissioning as officers with the rank of second lieutenant.

"It's a challenging program and those who make it through have really put in the work," Barrow said. "There are not many jobs where you are going to graduate from college at 22 years old and be immediately thrust into a middle management position and be in charge of people who have already been doing their job for years. It's crazy when you think about it."

Photo, courtesy Slippery Rock University