Six graduating seniors who served as cadets in the U.S. Army Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at St. Bonaventure University were commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army on Sunday, May 17.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the university’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, was followed by the Silver Dollar Salute, a traditional event in which each newly commissioned officer hands a silver dollar to the first enlisted or noncommissioned soldier who salutes them. Cadets choose someone instrumental in their upbringing, education or training for this honor.

The cadets are part of the Seneca Senior ROTC Battery, which comprises cadets from St. Bonaventure, Alfred State College, Alfred University, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Houghton University.

Seneca Battery cadets commissioned at St. Bonaventure on Sunday include:

Second Lieutenant Adam L. Batey of Leavenworth, Kansas, who graduated from St. Bonaventure with a master’s in Public Health, is the son of Ronald and MaryAnn Batey of Grovetown, Georgia. He commissioned into active duty in the Medical Service Corps. He served as the cadet battalion commander, battalion intelligence officer, battalion operations officer and Color Guard member. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his brother Sgt. William Batey, U.S. Army, who also rendered his first salute.

Second Lieutenant Hunter C. Heck of Woodhull, New York, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from Alfred University, is the son of David Heck Jr. and Amber Way. He commissioned into the Idaho National Guard as a field artillery officer. He has served as the Seneca Battery Commander. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his father. His first salute was rendered by his grandfather, retired Chief Petty Officer David Heck Sr., U.S. Navy.

Second Lieutenant Lily K. Janik, who graduated from Alfred University with a bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, Communications and Global Studies, is the daughter of Andrew and Danielle Janik of Angola, New York. She commissioned into active duty as a military intelligence officer. A distinguished military graduate, she served as the battalion commander, executive officer and a member of the Ranger Challenge team. Her lieutenant bars were pinned by her siblings; her oath was administered by Maj. Andrew Kless, and her first salute was rendered by retired Sgt. James M. Walton, U.S. Army.

Second Lieutenant Yanna K. Mott, who graduated from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Law and Society. She is the daughter of Neil Mott of Fredonia, New York, and Cassandra Boedo of Silver Creek, New York. She commissioned into active duty as a logistics officer. She served as the battalion logistics officer, Seneca Battery first sergeant, and president of the Gold Bar Club. Her lieutenant bars were pinned by her parents; her first salute was rendered by retired Sgt. First Class Kristy Jones-Ingram.

Second Lieutenant Chase J. Playfair of Penfield, New York, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from St. Bonaventure, is the son of Kim and Dan Playfair. He commissioned into active duty as a cyber officer. A distinguished military graduate, he has served as the command sergeant major and captain of the Ranger Challenge team. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents, and his first salute was rendered by retired Lance Cpl. Jason Langston, Marine Corps.

Second Lieutenant Zayne M. Sturdevant of Wellsville, New York, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from St. Bonaventure. He commissioned as an infantry officer into the Tennessee Army National Guard. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents, and his sister. His first salute was rendered by his fiancée, Spc. Elizabeth Reed, U.S. Army.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).