KU News Release

KU ROTC units honor new officers at joint commissioning event

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LAWRENCE — Thirty-one University of Kansas graduates and seven graduates of other area colleges and universities were honored as newly commissioned officers in the armed forces during ceremonies at 10 a.m. today in the Kansas Union. KU’s Naval ROTC coordinated the joint commissioning activities.

Capt. Thomas E. Arnold, professor of Naval science for Naval ROTC, welcomed the cadets, their families, friends and other guests, including KU Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere, and introduced the speaker, retired Marine Maj. Gen. David A. Richwine of Fairfax County, Va.

Assisting with ceremonies were Lt. Col Sandra Leiker, adjunct professor of aerospace studies for Air Force ROTC; Lt. Col. John Basso, professor of military science for Army ROTC; and the Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.

Richwine, a highly decorated combat veteran and Marine aviator, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from KU in spring 1965 and his commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps through KU’s Naval ROTC. For actions while serving as a platoon commander and commanding officer of his 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, in 1966-67 during the Vietnam War, he received the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Later he completed pilot training and earned Naval aviator status in 1971. He graduated from the Amphibious Warfare School, Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.

His extensive leadership and command roles have included serving as Marine Corps aide to the secretary of the Navy, staff officer for the secretary of defense and commander of the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was serving as the Marine Corps’ first chief information officer. His post-retirement activities have included coordinating fundraising for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, a companion facility in Virginia for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

For all honored at the joint commissioning, Richwine administered the oath of office and family members or close friends pinned the lieutenant or ensign rank on the new officers’ shoulders. The new officers have completed requirements for degrees as well as those of KU Air Force, Army and Naval ROTC units or the Marine Corps Platoon Leadership Course.

KU is one of only 50 universities in the nation offering a ROTC program that represents all branches of the military. Besides training KU students, KU’s ROTC program also trains cadets at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence; Baker University in Baldwin City; the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth; Washburn University in Topeka and Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe.

Five Washburn graduates, one Baker graduate and one Mid-America Nazarene graduate received commissions. Baker graduate Michael Peter Lanier was commissioned as a Navy ensign. James Dallas Henry, Mid-America Nazarene graduate, and Washburn graduates Kyle Austin Sissom and Justin Allen Stirling were commissioned as Army second lieutenants. Washburn graduates Jessica Rae Ruiz, Veronica Louise Hoskinson and Charles Edward Weniger III were commissioned as Air Force second lieutenants.

The newly commissioned officers are listed below by hometown, degree earned and, when available, their parents’ names and high schools.

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