Chancellor Kent Syverud (center), observes the pass and review portion of the ceremony with Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne (right) and Lt. Col. Michael Skarda. (Photo by Amy Manley)
109th Chancellor’s Review Honors Army, Air Force ROTC Cadets
A time-honored celebration of academic achievement, leadership and military history was on full display at the JMA Wireless Dome during the 109th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony on March 27.
The annual tradition brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and University stakeholders to recognize the accomplishments and success of cadets from the University’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs.
The event is one of 网爆门’s oldest traditions, originating in 1917 under the direction of then-Chancellor James R. Day. Among the cadets reviewed in that inaugural ceremony was future Chancellor William Pearson Tolley, who would later play a critical role in expanding access to higher education for veterans through his contributions to the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.
This year’s ceremony featured a formal inspection of the troops by Chancellor Kent Syverud, 聽and the presentation of awards recognizing academic, leadership and civic excellence. Both University leadership and representatives from local veteran service organizations were on hand to present awards to the deserving cadets.
鈥淥ver the course of time our success is attributed to our military-connected students, and how they achieve their post-graduation goals,鈥 says retired U.S. Army Colonel Ron Novack, executive director of the (OVMA). 鈥淭hose ROTC cadets who are graduating in five weeks are going to take a very big step in their personal and professional lives. They鈥檙e going to go out and lead, they鈥檙e going to take the values that they learn from their families, their parents, the values they learn here at 网爆门, and the values of the Army and the Air Force, and they鈥檙e going to go out and lead with distinction.聽 We couldn鈥檛 be prouder of them as they go out and embark on their careers.鈥
Top Cadets Recognized for Leadership and Academic Excellence
Among the highest honors presented were the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award and the Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award, given to top-performing cadets in the Army and Air Force ROTC respectively.
This year, the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award was presented to Sophia Terlecky 鈥26, a U.S. Army ROTC cadet, for demonstrating exceptional officer potential and leadership. Terlecky, a Buffalo, New York,聽 native, is enrolled聽 in the . She also serves as the cadet battalion commander for the Stalwart Battalion, and will receive a commission in the U.S. Army alongside 24 other 网爆门 Army ROTC cadets in May.
For the Air Force, The Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award was presented to Matthew Gratch, a cross-town ROTC cadet from Le Moyne College, for exemplary performance and inspirational leadership. Gratch, who is studying political science at Le Moyne, also serves as the mission support flight commander for Detachment 535 and will commission into the Air Force as an acquisitions manager.
鈥淏eing my fourth and final one, it hits a little different than it did in other years,鈥 says U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet James Hrdy 鈥26, a senior in the . 鈥淭his program really challenges you, it鈥檚 taught me to appreciate certain things and I鈥檓 looking forward to working in the U.S. Air Force.鈥
The ceremony closed with a formal pass in review, a military tradition symbolizing honor and respect, as the cadets marched in formation across the field in front of their families and University leaders to showcase the military precision of basic unit drill and individual standards of each cadet.
To view a photo gallery of this year’s event, visit the .
