Lt. Col. Jessica Murnock, UofL professor of military science, said in opening remarks that the life of an Army ROTC cadet is more than classes, papers and exams. There’s also a lengthy list of training activities from physical training several mornings a week to obstacle climbing to parachuting out of airplanes and helicopters.

“They are not better or worse” than the average college student, she said. “They are just different.”

The new officers received a commission certificate, then family members pinned bars to their uniforms signifying their new rank as second lieutenants. The tradition of the first salute followed, in which the new officer presented a silver dollar to the first enlisted person who rendered a salute. For several cadets, the salute came from a family member retired from military service. Afterward, the officers recited the Oath of the Commissioned Officer and closed by singing the Army Song.

During the ceremony in Chao Auditorium, the following Army cadets were promoted:

College of Business: Leah Harper, Computer Information Systems; Matthew Whitehouse, Marketing

School of Nursing: Jacob Robinson, Nursing

Speed School of Engineering: Tyler Ley, Chemical Engineering

College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development: Kendall Howerton, Health and Human Performance/Exercise Science

Photos from the Dec. 13 ceremony by University Photographer Tom Fougerousse are .��

During the Cardinal Battalion Army ROTC ceremony in Chao Auditorium, the cadets each commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to their branches. Three were assigned to the Army Nurse Corps and one each was assigned to the Armor, Chemical and Field artillery branches. Four will be active duty soldiers, while one was assigned to the Army Reserves and one to the Army National Guard.

The new Army officers bring to 416 the total number of officers UofL’s Army ROTC has commissioned during its 34-year history.

Guest speaker Col. Lance Oskey, commander for U.S. Army Cadet Command’s 7^th Brigade, told the cadets that their careers in the Army will make them lifelong learners.

“The Army will prepare you for each step in your journey,” he said. He advised them to spend as much time as possible with the troops in their commands, saying, “The days are long but the years are short.”

In both ceremonies, each cadet received a commission certificate, then family members or friends attached gold bars to the cadets’ uniforms. The tradition of the first salute followed, in which the new second lieutenant presented a silver dollar to the first enlisted person who rendered a salute.

UofL music school student Nala Kathleen sang the national anthem at the Army commissioning.

The following Army cadets were commissioned: 2^nd Lt. Michael Connolly, 2^nd Lt. Emily Farrar, 2^nd Lt. Zacharie Frank, 2^nd Lt. Christopher Jenkins, 2^nd Lt. Christopher Meany, 2^nd Lt. Paul Morlock.

During their ceremony in Bigelow Hall in the Miller IT Center, the following Air Force cadets were commissioned: 2^nd Lt. Patrick Assef and 2^nd Lt. Benjamin Soto.

The Air Force cadets are part of the 295^th Air Force ROTC Cadet Wing, led by Lt. Col. Jerry Crigger.

Crigger gave the A.J. Kramer Wingman Award to Assef. The A.J. Kramer Wingman Award is named in honor of Anthony Joseph “A.J” Kramer, an Air Force ROTC cadet who was within months of graduating from UofL in 2013 when he was killed in a motorcycle accident. It is voted upon by the cadets to honor a graduating cadet who provides exemplary support, leads by example, and demonstrates strong integrity, initiative and diplomacy.