Graduating seniors who served as cadets in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at St. Bonaventure University will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army on Saturday.
Graduating seniors who served as cadets in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at St. Bonaventure University will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army on Saturday.
The commissioning ceremony will be held virtually at 10 a.m. on Zoom and streamed live on the Seneca Battalion’s Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/SenecaBattalion).
The ceremony will include the Silver Dollar Salute, a traditional event in which each newly commissioned officer hands a silver dollar to the first soldier who salutes him. Cadets choose someone instrumental in their upbringing, education or training for this honor.
The St. Bonaventure cadets are part of Team Seneca of the Southwestern New York ROTC Battalion, which comprises cadets from St. Bonaventure, Alfred State College, Alfred University, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Houghton College and Jamestown Community College.
St. Bonaventure cadets to be commissioned Saturday include:
Michael Douglas, a cybersecurity major from Litchfield, New Hampshire, enrolled in ROTC on a two-year scholarship in the fall of 2017. The son of Michael and Brenda Douglas, he commissioned into the United States National Guard as a Signal Corps officer.
Cierra Grimaldi, a health science major from Cuba, New York, enrolled in ROTC on a 2.5-year scholarship in the spring of 2018. She served as a tactical instructor. The daughter of Joe and Dinah Grimaldi, she commissioned into the United States National Guard as a medical services officer.
Jacob Keenan, a history and adolescence education major from East Aurora, New York, enrolled in ROTC on a three-year scholarship in the fall of 2016. He served as the battalion executive officer. He received the Association of the United States Army History Award and the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Decoration Award. The son of Susan Keenan and the late Jeffery Keenan, he commissioned as an active duty armor officer.
Alexander Lombard, a finance major and economics minor from Hamburg, New York, enrolled in ROTC on a two-year National Guard scholarship in the fall of 2017. He served as a battalion tactics instructor. He received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award. The son of Richard and Tracy Lombard, he commissioned into the New York National Guard as an armor officer.
Donavan Lowe, a political science major from Chillicothe, Ohio, enrolled in ROTC on a three-year scholarship in the fall of 2016. He served as the battalion operations officer. He received the 8th District American Legion Award for Military Excellence. The son of Wendell and Tamra Lowe, he commissioned as an active duty armor officer.
Sarah Machina, a childhood education major from Clifton Park, New York, enrolled in ROTC on a three-year scholarship in the fall of 2016. She served as the Gold Bar Club president her sophomore year, and as the battalion Commander Sergeant Major her junior year. She received the George C. Marshall ROTC Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Award, and the Military Science Award from St. Bonaventure University. The daughter of Col. (Ret.) Gary Machina and Carolyn Machina, she commissioned into the New York National Guard as an ordnance officer.
Michael Rickicki, a philosophy major from Bolivar, New York, enrolled in ROTC on a 3.5-year scholarship in the spring of 2017. He served as captain of the battalion’s Ranger Challenge team, then served as the battalion senior tactics instructor his senior year. He received the Military Science Award from St. Bonaventure University and the Reserve Officers’ Association Award. The son of Pfc. (Ret.) Scott Rickicki and Michelle Rickicki, he commissioned into the Colorado National Guard as an infantry officer.
The following St. Bonaventure seniors will be commissioned at later dates:
Jordan Bozier, a sociology major from Mahopac, New York, enlisted in the United States National Guard prior to ROTC on a 2.5-year National Guard scholarship. He served as a battalion tactics instructor and physical training officer. The son of Lt. Col. Kenneth Bozier and Moreen Bozier, he will commission into the United States National Guard when he graduates in December 2020.
Shane O’Sullivan, a criminology major from Lynnfield Massachusetts, enrolled in ROTC on a two-year scholarship in the spring of 2018. O’Sullivan served as the battalion tactics instructor, physical training officer, and battalion commander. He received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Leadership Award. The son of Sgt. (Ret.) Kevin O’Sullivan and Margaret O’Sullivan, he will commission upon graduation in December 2020.