Graduating seniors who were cadets in the Seneca Battalion of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at St. Bonaventure University were commissioned as second lieutenants on Saturday.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on campus, was followed by 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.

A number of awards were also presented to the graduating cadets.

Commissioned were:

Max Therrien Borgus, a psychology major from Nunda, N.Y. Borgus, who served as logistics officer for the Seneca Battalion, was commissioned as an Adjutant General officer in the Army Reserve. The son of Eldon Borgus and Amy Therrien-Borgus, he received the New York State Reserve Officers’ Association Award.

Noah Eugene Burton, a political science major from Addison, N.Y. Burton, who served as Seneca Battalion commander in the spring semester, was commissioned as an active duty Armor officer. He will deploy to Fort Knox, Ky., this summer to support ROTC summer training before reporting to the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Ga., for the basic armor officer course. A Distinguished Military Graduate, Burton received the Eighth District American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award and the George C. Marshall ROTC Leadership Award. He is the son of Eric and Kathy Burton.

Aaron Daniel Byrne, a sport studies major from Springville, N.Y. Byrne, who served as Seneca Battalion commander in the fall semester, was commissioned as an active duty Ordnance officer. He will report to his basic officer training this June at Fort Lee, Va. His initial military assignment will be at Fort Carson, Colo. Byrne was presented with the Eighth District American Legion Military Excellence Award. He is the son of Daniel and Cynthia Byrne.

Erik Furgal, an international studies and Spanish major from Bowling Green, Ky. Furgal, who served as executive officer of the Seneca Battalion, was commissioned as an active duty Infantry officer. He will deploy to Fort Knox, Ky., this month to support ROTC summer training before reporting to Fort Benning, Ga., for the basic infantry officer course. A Distinguished Military Graduate, Furgal was presented with the St. Bonaventure University Military Science Award, the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Leadership Award. He is the son of Thomas and Karen Furgal.

Jacob Daniel McCollum, a journalism and mass communication major from East Amherst, N.Y. McCollum, who served as the recruiting and public affairs officer for the Seneca Battalion, was commissioned as a Military Police officer in the Army Reserve. He received honorable mention for the St. Bonaventure University Military Science Award. McCollum is the son of Dan and Sandra McCollum.

Alex Patrick Steinbroner, a psychology major from Little Valley, N.Y. Steinbroner, who served as command sergeant major for the Seneca Battalion at SBU, was commissioned as an Aviation officer in the New York National Guard. He was awarded the Fitzpatrick Family Scholarship. He is the son of Bill and Michelle Steinbroner.

Another St. Bonaventure cadet, Jeffrey J. Tampe, a visual arts major from Bemus Point, N.Y., is expected to be commissioned in December. Tampe served as Alpha Company commander for the Seneca Battalion at SBU. He is the son of Dan and Linda Burns and will commission as an Aviation officer in the Army National Guard.

In addition, ROTC cadets attending other schools that make up Team Seneca were commissioned Saturday as well. They include Casey Kelly and Quin Johnson, both of Alfred University, and Jesse Cole of Alfred State College. Another cadet, Josh Sourbeer, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, was commissioned on April 30.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things.  St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #6 best college value in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.