[437] MTSU ROTC Commissions 11 Into Three Branches of the Military

Note: Contains home town news

For release:  May 4, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

MTSU Military Science contact: Lt. Col. T.K. Kast, 615-898-2470 or Tharrel.Kast@mtsu.edu

MTSU ROTC commissions 11 into three branches of the military

MURFREESBORO — MTSU’s military science ROTC program commissioned 11 senior cadets as second lieutenants into three branches of the military during ceremonies May 4 at the Veterans Memorial outside the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Attended by family and friends, MTSU faculty, staff and administrators, alumni and others, the 11 new commissionees heard remarks from alumnus and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William N. “Bill” Phillips, who is a 1976 graduate who is principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army in Acquisition Logistics and Technology and director in Acquisition Career Management.

Phillips shared about trust and the many challenges the cadets will encounter. His speech included “trust of the American people, trust in their brothers and sisters in arms and trust in their equipment.”

“Our profession of the Army revolves around trust,” he said, later adding, “You will be challenged every day. You will face many challenges in many ways.”

All will graduate Saturday, May 5, during either 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. commencement ceremonies in Murphy Center.

Six of the new second lieutenants will be assigned active duty, one to Army Reserves and four to the National Guard.

Lt. Col. T.K. Kast oversaw his final commissioning ceremony as professor of military science. He will retire from the Army later this summer.

The newly commissioned cadets include:

• Jeremie M. Blattler of Enville, Tenn. He will graduate with a Bachelor of

Arts degree in history in the College of Liberal Arts. Blattler is being commissioned to reserve forces duty with the National Guard in the Field Artillery Branch. He is the son of Lorri and Brian Blattler of Enville;

• Sonia F. Dixon of Clarksville, Tenn. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history in the College of Liberal Arts. Dixon is being commissioned to reserve forces duty with the Signal Corps Branch. She is the daughter of Manuel and Hui Yong Dixon of Clarksville;

• Kimberly A. Isham of Evansville, Ind. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. Isham is being commissioned to reserve forces duty in the Engineer Branch. She is the daughter of Mark and Sheri Isham of Evansville;

• Colton C. Parr of Spring Hill and Fairview, Tenn. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations in the College of Liberal Arts. He is being assigned to Fort Benning, Ga. He is the son of David Parr of Spring Hill and Soraya Parr of Fairview;

• Brandon E. Pearson of Manchester, Tenn. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. Pearson is being commissioned to active duty, Medical Service Corps. He is the son of Steve Pearson of Tullahoma, Tenn., and Cheri Cameron of Manchester;

• Johnathon C. Schleicher of Murfreesboro. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication from the College of Mass Communication. Schleicher is being commissioned to reserve forces duty, Engineer Branch. He is the son of John and Donna Schleicher of Murfreesboro;

• Jason P. Stisser of Murfreesboro and Georgia Center, Vt. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. Stisser is being commissioned active duty, Infantry Branch, and assigned to Fort Benning, Ga. Stisser and his wife, Kelle, live in Murfreesboro. He is the stepson of Wendy Coy of St. Albans, Vt.;

• Melvin D. Taylor Jr. of Clarksville, Tenn. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in the College of Liberal Arts. Taylor is being commissioned to reserve forces duty, Army Reserves, Quartermaster Branch. He is the son of Melvin and Cathy Taylor of Clarksville;

• Bradley C. Weber of Columbia, Tenn. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in the College of Liberal Arts. Weber is being commissioned as a second lieutenant to active duty, Ordnance Branch. He is the son of Carolyn Acton of Columbia;

• Joshua G. Wilcox of Clarksville, Tenn. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in geosciences in the College of Liberal Arts. Wilcox is being commissioned as a second lieutenant to active duty, Aviation Branch, and assigned to Fort Rucker, Ala. He is the son of Tammy and Sylvester Wilcox of Clarksville; and

• Spencer R. Williamson of Murphy, N.C. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations in the College of Liberal Arts. Williamson is being commissioned as a second lieutenant to active duty, Military Police Branch. He his wife, Candy, live in Murfreesboro. He is the son of Tonja and Bobby Wiggins of Murphy.

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