Seven graduates of the Arkansas Tech University U.S. Army ROTC program were commissioned as second lieutenants during a ceremony at the Doc Bryan Student Services Center Lecture Hall on Saturday morning.
The commissioning ceremony preceded Arkansas Tech spring 2016 graduation across the street at Tucker Coliseum. All seven commissioned officers also earned their degrees from Arkansas Tech on Saturday.
Congressman Steve Womack served as speaker at the commissioning ceremony. A 1979 graduate of Arkansas Tech and 2014 inductee into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction, Womack is a product of the U.S. Army ROTC program at Arkansas Tech.
Womack retired from the Arkansas National Guard at the rank of Colonel in 2009.
As he spoke to the commissioning officers on Saturday, Womack shared three main points: that they are embarking upon a challenging yet rewarding experience, that deployments are the norm in today’s military and that they will build lifelong friendships through their service to country.
“I offer my congratulations to this commissioning class on completing a challenging and rigorous curriculum while simultaneously completing another, and that is completing your undergraduate degree,” said Womack. “I’ve been where you are, and I’m proud of you. Thirty-seven years ago my father pinned my gold bars on me and I became the first second generation ROTC graduate of Arkansas Tech University. It is a special moment for me to return here today.”
Bryant Calito of Russellville will join the Arkansas National Guard as an engineer officer. He earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in interdisciplinary studies and an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice.
Caleb Land of Springdale will be an engineer officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and parks administration.
Thomas Payne of Springfield, Mo., is commissioning into the Missouri National Guard as an engineer officer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree.
Zach Plumlee of Little Rock will be an aviation officer in the Arkansas National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management.
Robert Risinger of Clarksville will serve as an engineer officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
John Turney of Salem is commissioning into the Arkansas National Guard as an infantry officer. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management.
Kristen Vick of Greenwood will be a signal officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design.
Learn more about the U.S. Army ROTC program at Arkansas Tech.
