May 18, 2019

Graduating seniors who served as cadets in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at St. Bonaventure University were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army 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.

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, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Houghton College and Jamestown Community College.

St. Bonaventure cadets commissioned Saturday include: 

Conor Farley, a finance major and economics minor from Albany, New York, who enrolled in ROTC on a 4-year scholarship in the fall of 2015. He served as cadet commander of the Seneca Battalion this past semester. The son of Brian and Valerie Farley, he was commissioned as an active duty Signal Corps officer.

Jenna Machina, an accounting major from Syracuse, New York, who enrolled in ROTC on a 3-year scholarship in the fall 2015. She received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award. The daughter of Fran and Ann Marie Machina, she was commissioned as an active duty finance officer.

Brian Wendland, a political science major from Smithtown, New York, who enrolled in ROTC on a 3-year scholarship in the fall of 2016. Wendland served as captain of the battalion’s Ranger Challenge team and received the American Veterans of World War II Award. The son of Brian and Andrea Wendland, he was commissioned as an active duty field artillery officer.

The following St. Bonaventure seniors will be commissioned at later dates:

Alyssa Magnuson, a childhood studies major from Rochester, New York, who enrolled in ROTC on a 3-year scholarship in the spring of 2016. She served as battalion operations officer and executive officer, and received the Military Science Award, the Daughters of the American Revolution Award and the Seneca Battalion Commander’s Award. She is the daughter of Dean and Laura Magnuson. (Update: Magnuson was commissioned in August of 2019.)

Patrick McCormack, a journalism major from Hartford, Connecticut, who enrolled in ROTC on a 3-year scholarship in the spring of 2017. McCormack served as the battalion’s cadet command sergeant major, operations officer, and chief tactical officer. He received the George C. Marshall ROTC Award and honorable mention for the Military Science Award. He is the son of Kathy and Jim McCormack. (Update: McCormack was commissioned in December of 2019.)

Cadets from other schools in the Southwestern New York Battalion were commissioned in ceremonies at their respective institutions:

Commissioned at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on April 27:

Matthew Langan, a political science major from Hershey, Pennsylvania, who enrolled in ROTC in fall 2015 as a 3-year national scholarship winner. Langan served as the battalion commander. He received the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Decoration Award, Reserve Officers' Association Award, and the Veterans of Foreign Affairs Leadership Award. The son of Donna Kay and John Langan, he commissioned as an active duty military intelligence officer.

Ingrid Bates, a nursing major from Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, who enrolled in ROTC in fall of 2015 on a 3-year scholarship. Bates served as the Bravo Company first sergeant. She received the 8th District American Legion Auxiliary Award for Scholastic Excellence. The daughter of Kimberly and Joseph Kryzan, she commissioned as an active duty nursing corps officer.

John Horoho, a general studies in marketing and management major from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is a transfer student from The Citadel. The son of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Patricia and Col. (Ret.) Raymond T. Horoho, he commissioned as an active duty infantry officer.

Another University of Pittsburgh at Bradford cadet, Trevor Hulse, will commission as a quartermaster in the Pennsylvania National Guard this summer. Hulse, a criminal justice major from Allegany, New York, who enrolled in ROTC in the spring of 2017 on a 2.5-year scholarship, is the son of Carla and Todd Hulse.

Commissioned at Houghton College on May 10:

Victoria Krisher, a biology major from Friendship, New York, who enrolled in ROTC in the spring of 2017 on a 2.5-year scholarship. Krisher served as a platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and Charlie Company commander. The daughter of Rachel and Thomas Krisher, she commissioned as an active duty finance officer.

Commissioned at Alfred State College on May 10:

John Paul Holubek, a medical engineering technology major from Wayland, New York, who enrolled in ROTC in the spring of 2017 on a 2.5-year scholarship. Holubek served as the Charlie Company first sergeant. The son of Elizabeth and Paul Holubek, he commissioned as an engineering officer in the United States Army Reserves.

______________

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 #1 regional university value in New York and #2 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.