May 16, 2025
Eleven 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 Thursday, May 15.
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 non-commissioned 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 Battalion, which comprises cadets from St. Bonaventure, Alfred State College, Alfred University, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and Houghton University.
Seneca Battalion cadets commissioned at St. Bonaventure on Thursday include:
Second Lieutenant Caleb J. Bradley of Arkport, New York, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Finance from St. Bonaventure, is the son of Jamie Bradley. He commissioned into military intelligence in the North Carolina Army National Guard. Bradley has served as the battalion executive officer and as the Gold Bar recruiting president. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his father; his brother, Bodie Bradley; and his sister, Sedona Bradley. His first salute was rendered by his grandfather, former Sgt. Clarence Bradley, U.S. Army.
Second Lieutenant Addam A. Cansdale, who will graduate from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, is the son of retired Sgt. First Class Cris and Meghan Cansdale of Avoca, New York. He commissioned into active duty as an Ordnance Corps officer. He served as the battalion supply officer, battalion adjutant, and as the Gold Bar recruiting secretary. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his first salute was rendered by his father.
Second Lieutenant Anthony Cetta, who graduated from Alfred University with a bachelor’s degree in History, is the son of retired Army Lt. Col. Joseph Cetta and Lori Cetta from Walton, New York. He commissioned into active duty as a Corps of Engineers officer. A distinguished military graduate, he served as the cadet battalion commander, a Ranger Challenge team member, and a Color Guard member. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his first salute was rendered by retired 1st Sgt. Jim Walton, U.S. Army.
Second Lieutenant Matthew E. DiMaggio, who is graduating from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in Finance, is the son of Richard and Terri DiMaggio of Fairport, New York. He commissioned into active duty as a Corps of Engineers officer. He served as the executive officer, Gold Bar recruiting vice president, and a Ranger Challenge team member. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his first salute was rendered by his grandfather, Cpl. Emedio DiMaggio, a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran.
Second Lieutenant Aidan C. Hart, who will graduate from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a concentration in Biomedical Sciences, is the son of Joe and Christy Hart of Wellsville, New York. He commissioned into active duty in the Medical Service Corps. A distinguished military graduate, he served as the cadet battalion commander, assistant operations officer, and member of the Ranger Challenge Team. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his first salute was rendered by his friend Cpl. Quinn Heaney, U.S. Marine Corps.
Second Lieutenant Ethan K. White, who graduated from Alfred State College with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, is the son of Robin and Carlson White of Brooklyn, New York. He commissioned into the New York Army National Guard as a field artillery officer. He served as the battalion adjutant. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his brothers, Tristan and Jalen White. His first salute was rendered by his friend Sgt. Zachary Mallette, New York Army National Guard.
Second Lieutenant Sierra S. Schofield, who graduated from Alfred State College with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Colleen Schofield of Delran, New Jersey. She commissioned into active duty as a field artillery officer. She served as the battalion operations and training officer and as a member of the Ranger Challenge team. Her lieutenant bars were pinned by her parents and her first salute was rendered by her brother-in-law, Sgt. Brett Marino, U.S. Army.
Second Lieutenant Kelsey M. Villatoro of Sterling, Virginia, who will graduate from Houghton University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, is the daughter of Fanny Garcia and Julio Villatoro. She commissioned as a Transportation Corps officer into the Virginia Army National Guard. She served as the battalion executive officer and as a Ranger Challenge team member. Her lieutenant bars were pinned by her parents and her first salute was rendered by Sgt. First Class Jeffery P. Beshears, U.S. Army.
Second Lieutenant Thomas J. McKenna Jr. of Tully, New York, who will graduate from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, is the son of Thomas McKenna and Johanna Stumbo. He was commissioned as an Armor officer into the North Carolina Army National Guard. He had served as a Ranger Challenge team member and as the cadet battalion command sergeant major. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his first salute was rendered by Spc. John McKenna, New York Army National Guard.
Second Lieutenant Adam J. Duffy of Tully, New York, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from St. Bonaventure, is the son of Edward “Ed” Duffy and Gretel Duffy. He commissioned as an infantry officer into the New York Army National Guard. He served as the battalion supply officer, cadet battalion command sergeant major, Ranger Challenge team member, and Gold Bar recruiting secretary. His lieutenant bars were pinned by his parents and his first salute was rendered by Sgt. First Class Jeffery P. Beshears, U.S. Army.
Second Lieutenant Shane D. Lehman of Corning, New York, who will graduate from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a Health Education Specialist concentration. He commissioned as a military intelligence officer into the U.S. Army Reserves. A distinguished military graduate, he served as the battalion intelligence officer, battalion operations and training officer, Ranger Challenge team member, and Gold Bar recruiting president. His lieutenant bars were pinned by fellow service members, Specialist Jacob Liberati, Specialist Destiny Reese, and Specialist Penelope Scharf and his first salute was rendered by retired Master Sgt. Francisco “Frank” Morales, 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 #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).