The Navy midshipmen and
marines of ROTC, and the Army
cadets of ROTC held their 20th annual
Joint Reserve Officers Training
Corps awards ceremony April 22 at
Alumni Field.
Friends, family, and a host
of Army and Navy lieutenants gathered
to witness as a mixture of 63
Army cadets and Navy midshipmen
were awarded 31 awards; as well as
40 high school students were awarded
scholarships. The awards rewarded
the cadets for their academic
excellence, military leadership,
character, potential, proficiency,
citizenship, and participation during
their tenure as a cadet.
The festivities began as
both the Army ROTC and the Navy
ROTC marched onto the field hoisting
the stars and stripes to receive
their prestigious award.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel
and current Director of Enrollment
Management here at PVAMU
Mark K. Pearson was the honorary
speaker for this celebrated event.
Pearson first applauded
all the cadets on their esteemed
awards telling them to continue to
believe in their ROTC and university.
Pearson gave encouraging
words to the cadets that would help
them to become better leaders and
citizens for America. “Lead by example,”
Pearson said, “Officers lead
in front.”
Pearson would go on to let
the cadets know that their responsibilities
don’t stop at the reception of
this award, but that they are to always
be model citizens. Pearson said, “You
are never off duty, you’re always on
display and represent someone.”
“Stay in control of yourself,”
Pearson said “Great leaders equal
great simplifiers.”
Pearson saluted the cadets’
accomplishments and sacrifices hoping
they would take heed to his message.
All cadets were presented
their award by commanding officers
followed the oration.