WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Five Army ROTC cadets from Pennsylvania College of Technology and two from Lycoming College have been rewarded with scholarships and commissioning contracts for their dedication and perseverance.
Penn College scholarship recipients are residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration majors Hayden N. Beiter, of Williamsport, Jordan H. Murray, of Chambersburg, and Austin S. Weinrich, of Jenkintown; and plastics and polymer technology major Casey A. Curtin, of Berwick.
Christopher T. Craig II, an automotive technology management major from Rixford, earned a commissioning contract.
The scholarships cover all college expenses and provide a monthly stipend. The contracts include a stipend and funding for a portion of college costs. The scholarships and contracts both lead to a cadet’s commissioning as a second lieutenant upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
Penn College honored its cadets and the two Lycoming College cadets — scholarship recipient Samuel D. Pollock, a criminal justice and political science major from Wrightsville, and contract recipient Kaitlyn Barmore, a criminal justice major from Succasunna, New Jersey — during an April 3 campus ceremony.
“We are so proud of these fine students who have distinguished themselves both in and out of the classroom,” said Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost at Penn College. “Their commitment to academics and their country is to be admired. They represent the best of their generation.”
In addition to their regular college activities, Army ROTC cadets take classes on military science and leadership and engage in physical training three days a week in order to meet conditioning requirements.
Graduates of the ROTC program commit to four years of active duty or eight years in the Army Reserve or National Guard. Both avenues result in specialized training in a designated branch of the Army and the opportunity for postgraduate education.
“The ROTC program has proven to be an outstanding opportunity for young men and women to develop leadership skills that are vital for success, not only in the military, but also in the civilian workforce,” Strickland said.
Along with Mansfield University, Penn College and Lycoming College are part of the newly constituted Bald Eagle Battalion, headquartered at Lock Haven University. Both Penn College and Lycoming College were members of the Bison Battalion at Bucknell University.
“The Army suggested the realignment to the Bald Eagle Battalion due to geography and resource allocation,” Strickland said. “We anticipate that more cadets from both Penn College and Lycoming College will receive strong consideration for scholarships. The scholarships recently awarded are a good sign that will become a reality.”
For information on ROTC at Penn College, visit www.pct.edu/admissions/rotc or email ROTC@pct.edu.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development. Visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.