KU News Release

May 6, 2009
Contact: Maj. Gary Marsteller, Air Force ROTC, (785) 864-1215.

KU Air Force ROTC honors outstanding cadets at spring awards event

LAWRENCE — The Flying Jayhawks Wing of the Air Force ROTC at the University of Kansas recognized its outstanding cadets at an awards ceremony May 5.

Lt. Col. Gena Stuchbery, commanding officer of Air Force ROTC Detachment 280, presided. Maj. Gary E. Marsteller, commandant of cadets, narrated the presentation, which was followed by a year-in-review slideshow and reception to honor the cadets and their families and guests.

The awards and scholarships to commend outstanding achievements and leadership were presented by representatives of Air Force ROTC and award sponsors.

Four memorial awards honor alumni of the Air Force ROTC unit.

— The Richard Hazlett Memorial Award recognizes each year the graduating senior cadet with the highest academic standing. Daniel Parker, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., received the award, which honors Hazlett, who was killed in an orientation flight in 1955.

— The John O. Dalke Memorial Award recognizes a senior cadet who exemplifies a devotion to the Air Force and desire to fly. The award was established in memory of 2nd Lt. Dalke, who was killed during pilot training in 1967 at Webb Air Force Base in Texas. Evan Bergstrom, a senior from Apple Valley, Minn., received the award.

— The Capt. Carter S. Wallen Air Force ROTC Scholarship Award, also given to Bergstrom, is for an outstanding senior cadet who desires to fly. It was established in memory of Wallen, a 1982 KU graduate who was killed when his A-10 plane crashed during a NATO training exercise.

— The Nathanial Buckley Memorial and Scholarship Award cites the sophomore cadet who best exemplifies leadership and pursuit of excellence as demonstrated by 1st Lt. Buckley, a spring 2000 KU graduate who was killed in an Air Force aircraft training accident Aug. 2, 2002, in Puerto Rico. Justin Sadowski, a sophomore from Omaha, Neb., received the award.

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 from Baker University in Baldwin City; Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence; Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe; the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth; and Washburn University in Topeka.

Air Force ROTC award recipients included Washburn law student Jeffery Bennett Waddell of Topeka and Haskell freshman Matthew Mecadon of Overbrook. In addition to being recognized as the distinguished cadet graduate, Waddell will receive the senior American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post 114 General Military Excellence Award and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Award. Mecadon will receive the American Legion’s General Military Excellence Award.

Awards from organizations and their representative presenters include:

— Eight American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post 114 awards of excellence were presented by retired Air Force Col. Jerry Hanson. Four General Military Excellence Awards went to cadets who demonstrated outstanding leadership, discipline, character and citizenship and who are in the top 25 percent academically of their ROTC units. Four Scholastic Excellence Awards went cadets in the upper 10 percent of the class who show military leadership and actively participate in student organizations or sports.

— The National Society, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Award, which recognizes an outstanding second-year cadet who ranks in the upper 10 percent in aerospace engineering, was presented by Shirley Johnson of the Eastern Kansas Chapter 50.

— The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction Award was presented by Jim Eggenberger, executive secretary. The award goes to an outstanding cadet who contributed significantly to extracurricular activities and student projects.

— The Military Officers Association of America, Jayhawk Chapter, which recognizes an outstanding junior cadet who demonstrates potential for exceptional leadership, academic record and moral character, was presented by retired Army Col. Bernie Kish, who is director of facilities and lecturer in health, sport and exercise sciences at KU.

— The Maj. Gen. Clay Comfort Scholarship Award honors the Marine co-founder of the MOAA Jayhawk Chapter and recognizes a cadet in the first two years of the ROTC program who possesses academic achievement and leadership qualities. It was presented by retired Army Lt. Col. Dave Darwin, MOAA member and the Deane E. Ackers Distinguished Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at KU.

— Three Military Order of World Wars medals each went to one member of the freshman, sophomore and junior classes who demonstrated an outstanding desire to serve the United States and Air Force ROTC. The medals were presented by Patricia Snyder, Greater Kansas City MOWW commander.

— Three Reserve Officers Association Awards were presented by retired Air Force Col. Percy Pascua. The award recognizes academic achievement and officer potential, particularly for wartime service.

— The Sons of the American Revolution Award, presented by John Sayler, cites a cadet concluding the third year in the Air Force ROTC program who demonstrates leadership, military demeanor and all-around excellence in activities and studies, particularly historical research and principles of government.

— The Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Award honors ROTC service by a cadet who has demonstrated a high degree of patriotism as well as leadership and academic performance.

— The Veterans of Foreign Wars Award has been presented since 1978 to cadets who provide a significant contribution to the corps through dedication and loyalty. Gary Jump represented the VFW at the ceremony.

In addition, Stuchbery presented awards on behalf of 10 organizations. They include:

— The Air Force Association Award recognizes an outstanding junior cadet who possesses characteristics contributing to leadership and future value in positions of responsibility.

— The AMVETS Award aims to promote world peace, preserve the American way of life and help remember sacrifices of military veterans.

— The Daughters of the American Revolution Award, given to perpetuate the spirit of men and women who fought for American independence, recognizes an outstanding senior cadet who values the importance of ROTC training.

— The General Society of the War of 1812 Award honors the critical role of militia units in that war and the importance of the citizen-soldier and recognizes a cadet who encourages and demonstrates the ideals of Americanism.

— The Military Order of the Loyal Legion Award rewards the most outstanding senior cadet based on total performance and leadership in the Flying Jayhawks Wing.

— The Military Order of the Purple Heart Award goes to a cadet who displays a positive attitude and sound character leadership skills and academic and extracurricular achievement.

— The National Defense Industrial Association Award represents the defense and technological industrial fields serving military service and goes to an outstanding senior in the upper 10 percent of aerospace studies.

— The National Defense Transportation Award goes to an outstanding senior cadet with noteworthy achievement in providing for safety and security of people and property, particularly students interested in logistics.

— The National Sojourners Award honors a sophomore or junior cadet who has encouraged and demonstrated good fellowship and Americanism within each ROTC unit.

— The United States Automobile Association Spirit Award, an engraved brass clock, recognizes one cadet each year who best exemplifies service to ROTC unit, community and nation.

KU award and scholarship recipients are listed below by hometown, major, parents’ names, high schools (when available) and award or scholarship received.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002
Jaimie Christine Wappelhorst, junior in history, daughter of Ken and Dana Wappelhorst; Andover Central High School; Sons of American Revolution Award.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66047
Geoffrey Thomas Barnes, junior in aerospace engineering; Haldane High School, Cold Spring, N.Y.; General Society of the War of 1812 Award and Reserve Officers Association Award.

Allison Brooke Graves, junior in human biology preparing to study optometry; Ramstein American High School in Germany; Military Order of World Wars Award.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Victoria 67671
Richard Daniel Rogers, senior in political science, son of Rick and Pam Rogers; Air Force Association Award.

JACKSON COUNTY
From Holton 66436
Nicholas William Krogmann, sophomore in political science and Slavic languages and literatures, son of Leroy and Margret Krogmann; Holton High School; Military Order of World Wars Award.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66206
Tyler Patrick Sifers, senior in mathematics, son of Vicki Sifers; Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo.; Daughters of American Revolution Award and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Award.

From Olathe 66061
Renee Lynn Ruppel, sophomore in African and African-American studies, daughter of David and Brenda Ruppel; Hamburg High School, Hamburg, Ark.; American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award.

From Olathe 66062
Lawrence Anson Ditton, junior in aerospace engineering, son of Lawrence and Kathy Ditton; Olathe South High School; Military Officers Association of America Award and Military Order of the Purple Heart Award.

Michael Ross McReynolds, junior in psychology, son of John and Dana McReynolds; Olathe East High School; Maj. Gen. Clay Comfort Scholarship.

From Overland Park 66221
Brittany Nicole Ramos, senior in history, daughter of Angeles and Jeanne Ramos; Blue Valley Northwest High School; National Defense Industry Association Award.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Fort Leavenworth 66027
Cole-Christian Leo Holinaty, freshman preparing to study business, son of Francis and Sherry Holinaty; Leavenworth Senior High School; AMVETS Award.

From Lansing 66043
Kyle Joseph Buehler, junior in biology, son of David and Lisa Buehler; Lansing High School; American Legion General Military Excellence Award.

John Michael Sebes, sophomore in aerospace engineering, son of Joseph and Mickey Sebes; Lansing High School; National Sojourners Award.

From Lansing 66043 and Hampton, Va.
Alicia Kadie Cusano, junior in East Asian languages and cultures preparing to study secondary education, daughter Rhonda Taylor of Lansing and Alphonse Cusano of Hampton, Va.; Leavenworth Senior High School in Leavenworth, Kan.; American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award.

From Leavenworth 66048
Stephanie Lynn Langley, senior in architectural engineering, daughter of Michael and Susan Langley; Immaculata High School; Reserve Officers Association Award.

From Tonganoxie 66086 and Kansas City, Mo.
Erin Michelle Wood, senior in nursing, daughter of Dana Wood of Tonganoxie and David Wood of Kansas City, Mo.; National Defense Transportation Award.

SHERIDAN COUNTY
From Hoxie 67740
Tanner Oren Popp, junior in geography, son of Keith and Shirley Popp; Hoxie High School; American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67212
Jacob Alan Breth, senior in management, son of Daniel and Conni Breth; Bishop Carroll High School; Veterans of Foreign Wars Award.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66109
Daniel Parker, senior in sociology, son of James and Anita Parker; Lansing (Kan.) High School; American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award and Richard Hazlett Memorial Award.

HAWAII
From Honolulu 96818
Gregory Curtis Germann, freshman in applied behavioral science, son of Larry and Jeanette Germann; Leavenworth (Kan.) Senior High School; Military Order of World Wars Award.

MINNESOTA
From Apple Valley 55124
Evan Joseph Bergstrom, senior in atmospheric science, son of Tom and JoAnn Bergstrom; Eastview High School; Carter S. Wallen Award and John O. Dalke Memorial Award.

MISSOURI
From Ballwin 63021
Stephanie Koenig, senior in human biology, daughter of Bob and Michelle Koenig; Parkway South High School, Manchester, Mo.; American Legion General Military Excellence Award, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction Award and Reserve Officers Association Award.

From Kansas City 64155 and Tonganoxie, Kan.
Erin Michelle Wood. See LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

NEBRASKA
From Omaha 68127
Justin Adam Sadowski, sophomore in aerospace engineering, son of Albert and Cynthia Sadowski; Ralston High School in Ralston, Neb.; $500 Nathanial Buckley Memorial Award and National Society, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Award pendant and ribbon

TEXAS
From Allen 75013
Alex E. Carrera, senior in biology, son of Jesus and Jessie Carrera; Allen High School; United Services Automobile Association Spirit Award.

VIRGINIA
From Hampton 23666 and Lansing, Kan.
Alicia Kadie Cusano. See LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

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