Campus Connection

Eight students committing to ROTC program at UWL

Eight students in the Army ROTC program at UW-La Crosse will commit as commissioned officers in the Army during a ceremony Thursday, Oct. 11. Army ROTC will conduct its first Contracting Ceremony of the semester at 3:40 p.m. in the Assisi Courtyard at Viterbo University. The cadets who contract are formally committing to serve as commissioned officers in the Army after they complete their degree programs and ROTC commissioning requirements. The commitment for cadet commissioning is eight years of service either as active duty, reserve or national guard. The cadets have prepared for their new orders by attending field training exercises, ROTC labs, physical training in the mornings three times a week, along with leadership training exercises. As cadets progress, they have opportunities to attend cultural language programs, airborne school and air assault school. Currently, there are 92 cadets in the ROTC program headquartered at UW-La Crosse that also includes students from Saint Mary's University in Winona, Viterbo University and Winona State University. Contracting ceremonies are held on average twice a semester. The students who are contracting as cadets Oct. 11, and their fields of study, include: St. Mary’s University • Cadet Sarah Zastrow, bachelor of science in criminal justice. UW-La Crosse • Cadet Bradley Jacobson, bachelor of science in business management. • Cadet Brock Lippiatt, bachelor of science in exercise and sport science. • Cadet Ryan Elwing, bachelor of science in exercise and sport science. • Cadet Donald O'Sullivan, bachelor of science in exercise and sport science. Viterbo University • Cadet Rafael Burgess, bachelor of science in criminal justice. Winona State University • Cadet Lauren Kodet, bachelor of science in nursing. • Cadet Brooke Moriearty, bachelor of science in nursing. • Cadet Erin Simon, bachelor of science in physical education.