Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

Ready to lead: Appalachian students commissioned as military officers

View larger image

Graduation events at Appalachian State University included the commissioning of 13 ROTC cadets as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Posted May 13, 2016 at 3:25 p.m.

BOONE—Thirteen cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants at a ceremony held May 13 on campus. The students are members of Appalachian State University’s Mountaineer Battalion, the Department of Military Science and Leadership’s ROTC program.

Lt. Col. Michael Zopfi, chair of the Department of Military Science and Leadership in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, began the ceremony by lauding the cadets for their commitment to service. “You will be responsible for the most valuable resource our nation has – our sons and daughters,” he said. “I challenge you to uphold the oath of office, lead by example, put your mission and soldiers first and to always do the right thing.”

Col. Kirk Dorr, fellow at the Harvard University Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, then praised the students for the skills they have learned as part of the ROTC program. He also commended Lt. Col. Zopfi and the department faculty for their role in developing leaders for the challenges in the army.

“We are in a place of great ambiguity in the world, and it’s a dangerous place to be,” he said. “We need young, talented leaders to infuse the formation if we’re going to achieve the levels of excellence we need.”

He also reminded the students and their families that they now have what it takes to realize their goals. “You can’t coach heart and soul,” he said to the students. “If you have the drive, you’ll succeed and do great things.”

The commissioned students represent a variety of colleges on campus and include Morgan Bicio, a history major who will serve as adjutant general; Rebecca Inman, a global studies major who will serve in military intelligence; Matthew James, an exercise science major who will serve as quartermaster; Marshall Montgomery, an accounting major who will serve in military intelligence; Brendan Elliot, an industrial design major who will serve in aviation; Jacob Fregia, a criminal justice major who will serve in the infantry; Michael Waters, a computer information systems major who will serve as quartermaster; Andrew Lightsey, a graduate student in geography who will serve in aviation; Benjamin Tan, an exercise science major who will serve in the medical corps; Russell Moss, a religious studies major who will serve in the chaplains corps; Thomas Mackie, a history major who will serve in field artillery; Austin Welch, a recreation management major who will serve in military ordnance; and Ryan Clark, a geography / GIS major who will serve in military intelligence.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Awards and Honors
  • Diversity
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Alumni
  • Awards and Honors
  • Diversity
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat