University News

Major Steven Rosson Named WIU Military Science Chair

August 1, 2006

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MACOMB, IL - - Major Steven Rosson reported to duty June 15 at Western Illinois University as chair of the nationally recognized military science department.

Major Rosson, recently selected for future promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, succeeds retired Lt. Col. Michael Cumbie, who served Western’s military science department and ROTC Bulldog Battalion for five years in his nearly 24 year Army career. Cumbie is now the development officer in the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Western.

"Being from Illinois I am fully aware of the reputation of WIU ROTC,” Major Rosson said. “There is not another program in the state that receives the same level of university and community support, and because of this Western continues to be one of the top producers of Army officers for our nation. That made my selection of WIU an easy one."

Major Rosson brings experience and expertise to his leadership role as the 13th professor of military science in the department’s 38-year history at Western. As a Military Intelligence Officer he has been assigned as a tactical intelligence officer at battalion, brigade and division levels. He has completed two tours in Germany, served as an assistant professor of military science at Eastern Illinois University, served as an Observer Controller at the U.S. Army National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA and most recently served as a Brigade S2 and Battalion Executive Officer at Fort Stewart, GA.

While he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Major Rosson participated in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. He also participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom III, returning home in February 2006.

Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Iraqi Campaign Medals, Global War On Terrorism Medal, NATO Medal and two Combat Action Badges.

Western’s Bulldog Battalion was named the best large program in the 10th Brigade – headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and including 22 programs in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma – and a top 15 percent school in all of Cadet Command’s 272 programs in 2005. From 2001-2006, only seven non-military universities across the nation produced more Army officers than Western.

Major Rosson and his wife, Johanna, have three sons: Scott, age 8; Joshua, age 6; and William, age 3.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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