23 Graduates Commissioned, Honored at Spring Commencement Events

MG Carl Ernst gave the commissioning oath.

Cadets of the Ole War Skule President John Milazzo, left, and President F. King Alexander, right, with Corps Achievement Award recipients, from left, Ensign Mercedes Alexandria Holland, 2LT Zachary James Spears, 2LT Kazimira Izabella Karwowski, and 2Lt Jacob Ryan Hughes.

The Ole War Skule Senior Symposium Class of 2018 gathers for one last photo at the conclusion of LSU's Spring Joint Commissioning Ceremony. Front, from left, the class are 2LT Grant Matthew Carrier, 2LT Kazimira Izabella Karwowski, 2LT Kathryn Anne Winski, 2Lt Kathleen Marie Dickerson, 2LT Zachary James Spears, 2LT Jeremy Michael Spears, 2Lt Sarah Rachelle Jalane Mai, and 2LT Olivia Elizabeth Colton; back, 2Lt Jacob Ryan Hughes, 2Lt Dane Ray Ivy, 2LT Evan Jordan Wesslund, 2LT Michael Joseph Orgeron, 2Lt Kaylin Paige Hankerson, 2Lt Cole Henderson Hyler Wolf, and 2LT Matthew Ethan Cavell.

Guest speakers MG Carl F. Ernst, left, and MG Hunt B. Downer.

Twenty-three spring graduates were recognized at the Spring Commissioning Ceremony in the Union Theater on May 10.

The group included graduates of LSU’s Army and Air Force ROTC program and Southern University’s Navy ROTC program, as well as University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates who took part in LSU Army ROTC. Retired U.S. Army MG Carl F. Ernst was guest speaker for the occasion and gave the commissioning oath.

Corps Achievement Award recipients were Kazimira Izabella Karwowski, Army; Mercedes Alexandria Holland, Navy; Zachary James Spears, Marines; and Jacob Ryan Hughes, Air Force.

Also recognized were those who took part in Cadets of the Ole War Skule’s capstone experience, Senior Symposium, a yearlong program for select ROTC seniors that prepares the future officers for leadership assignments and responsibilities after graduation.The 2018 class also was honored at the Senior Symposium Closing Dinner at the Faculty Club that evening, with retired U.S. Army MG Hunt B. Downer serving as master of ceremonies.

Commissioned were:
Air Force: Dominic Daniel Centanni, Kathleen Marie Dickerson, Kaylin Paige Hankerson, Jacob Ryan Hughes, Dane Ray Ivy, Sarah Rachelle-Jalane Mai, Khoa Dang Nguyen, and Cole Henderson Hyler Wolf.

Army: Grant Matthew Carrier, Matthew Ethan Cavell, Oliva Elizabeth Colton, Frank Joseph Fontenot, Kazimira Izabelle Karwowski, Ryan Kristopher Mixon, Cody Alan Nash, Michael Joseph Orgeron, Evan Jordan Wesslund, and Kathryn Anne Winski.

Navy: Connor Matthew Black, Brandon Leonardo Davalos-Barreto, Mercedes Alexandria Holland.

Marine Corps: Jeremy Michael Spears, Zachary James Spears.

Photos by Ray Dry

Memorial Day Observance

Cadets of the Ole War Skule President John Milazzo, LSU Board of Supervisors member Mary Werner, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, LSU Interim Provost Stacia Haynie, governor’s office Chief of Staff Mark Cooper, and Cadets of the Ole War Skule board member Richard Lipsey.

Felix Weill, MajGen Ron Richard, and RADM Ryland Percy.

LSU paid tribute to its military deceased at the LSU War Memorial on the Parade Ground on May 30. The ceremony in silence, which began as the Memorial Tower chimes struck noon, included the presentation of arms, laying of a wreath and playing of Taps. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was keynote speaker at the luncheon in the Faculty Club following the ceremony. Photos By Ray Dry

Remembering WWI

A rededication of the Memorial Oak Grove is set for Nov. 11, the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. See full story.

On Duty

LT Zachary “Zach” Oliver, far right, a 2016 College of Engineering alum and former Corps commander, shares a photo of his unit, the 4th Route Clearance Platoon, Bravo Company, 317th Brigade Engineer Battalion, deployed out of Ft. Polk in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Fall 2018