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Members of Western's ROTC gathered to honor the accomplishments of the Leatherneck Battalion.
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Major Michael Chezum, a 2008 alumnus, returned to campus as the guest speaker at the annual Military Ball.
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WIU ROTC Cadets Honored

April 10, 2019

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's Department of Military Science recently honored the accomplishments of several members of Western's ROTC at the annual Military Ball held on campus.

Major Michael Chezum, a 2008 alumnus, returned to campus as the guest speaker, while 19 senior cadets were honored and several received the following awards:

Top cadets from each class:
Moira McMahon (Rockford, IL), a freshman forensic chemistry major
Joshua Deffenbaugh (Plainfield, IL), a sophomore fire protection services major
Jacob Poore (Macomb), a junior finance major
Robert Brueggert (New Lenox, IL), a senior law enforcement and justice administration major

Top cadet in the battalion: Connor Rutherford (Markham, IL), a law enforcement and justice administration graduate student

George C. Marshall Award, presented to the top senior cadet whose outstanding accomplishments in military studies best exemplifies the private life and public career of General of the Army George C. Marshall: John Busby (Dekalb, IL), senior law enforcement and justice administration major

Donna Konkler Memorial Scholarship, established in 2009 in honor of the late Konkler, who supported the Military Science department for 25 years: April Matthews (Sherrard, IL), graduate student

Col. Leo Manning Memorial Scholarship, presented annually to the top graduating senior based on academic and ROTC accomplishment as well as extracurricular and community involvement. The cadet must also be branched combat arms or Military Police: Anthony Taylor (Bushnell, IL), a senior law enforcement and justice administration major

"The military ball honors military traditions and the accomplishments of the Leatherneck Battalion. We are proud to recognize our seniors and all our future Army leaders," said LTC Joan Sommers, WIU Department of Military Science chair.

For more information about Western's ROTC program, visit wiu.edu/rotc.

Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing