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The cadets taking the Oath of Office. From L-R: Michelle Troesch, Timothy Robbins, Benjamin Reeder, Charles Loverude, Christine Drankiewicz, Jacob Beard.
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2nd Lt. Jacob Beard with his parents, Terry and Joanne Beard.
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2nd Lt. Christine Drankiewicz with her father, Gary Drankiewicz, and her uncle, Keith Drankiewicz.
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2nd Lt. Charles Loverude with his parents, Russell and Patsy Loverude.
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2nd Lt. Reeder with his parents, Bruce and Debbie Reeder.
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2nd Lt. Timothy Robbins with his mother, Mary Kay Robbins, and longtime friend, John Morrison.
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2nd Lt. Michelle Troesch with her grandmother, Joyce Cale, her sister, Melissa Wayland, her brother, Richard Schoaff and his sons.
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WIU August 2007 Army Commissioning

August 29, 2007

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MACOMB, IL - Six Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during an Aug. 25 ceremony on Western's campus. Four of the new officers received active duty commissions.

The new officers join the 903 alumni of Western's ROTC award-winning program, which was established in 1968. Western's military science department has a longstanding tradition of excellence, having been named the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Award for the best ROTC battalion in the Midwest in 1994, 2001 and 2002.

In Spring 2005, Western Illinois' ROTC Bulldog Battalion was named the best large program in the 10th Brigade and a top 15 percent school in all of Cadet Command's 272 programs. The 10th Brigade, headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, includes 22 college and university programs in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Below are the individuals, listed by hometowns, who took the Oath of Office of a commissioned officer:

ALEXANDER, IL – 2nd Lt. Jacob Beard, a Summer 2007 Bachelor of Science graduate with a law enforcement and justice administration major and military science minor, received a reserve commission in the Military Police Corps. Beard will attend Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and then serve in the Illinois National Guard. Jacob's parents, Terry and Joanne Beard of Alexander, pinned on his gold bars. Jacob is a 2003 graduate of Routt Catholic High School, Jacksonville.

JOLIET, IL – 2nd Lt. Timothy Robbins, a Summer 2007 Bachelor of Science graduate with a law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Air Defense Artillery Corps. He will be stationed in Fort Bliss, TX for his Officer Basic Course and his first duty assignment. Timothy's mother, Mary Kay Robbins, and long-time friend, John Morrison, pinned on his gold bars. Timothy is a 2003 graduate of Monmouth High School.

MACOMB, IL – 2nd Lt. Michelle Troesch, a Spring 2007 Bachelor of Science graduate with an interdisciplinary studies major, received an active duty commission and is waiting for her branch assignment. She will be stationed at Fort Drum, NY, with her husband, 1st Lt. Sean Troesch, a WIU 2005 Fall Bachelor of Science graduate in psychology. Michelle originally was commissioned on July 27 at Warrior Forge in Fort Lewis, Washington, with Western's military science department chair Lt. Col. Steven Rossen pinning on her gold bars. She attended the WIU commissioning ceremony so her family and friends could attend. Pinning on her gold bars in Macomb were her grandmother Joyce Cale, her sister Melissa Wayland, her brother Richard Schoaff and nephews. Michelle, a 1998 graduate of Macomb High School, is the daughter of Roger Schoaff of Macomb and Deborah Schoaff of Plymouth, IL.

NASHVILLE, IL – 2nd Lt. Benjamin Reeder, a Summer 2007 Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts graduate, received a reserve commission in the Signal Corps. Reeder will attend Officer Basic Course at Fort Gordon, GA, and then serve in the Illinois National Guard. Benjamin's parents, Bruce and Debbie Reeder, pinned on his gold bars. Benjamin is a 2003 graduate of Nashville Community High School.

NEW LENOX, IL – 2nd Lt. Charles Loverude, a Summer 2007 Bachelor of Science graduate with a law enforcement and justice administration major and military science minor, received an active duty commission in the Quartermaster Corps. He first will serve as Western's Gold Bar Recruiter before he goes to Fort Lee, VA, for Officer Basic Course and then to Fort Drum, NY, for his first duty assignment. Charles' parents, Russell and Patsy Loverude of New Lenox, pinned on his gold bars. Charles is a 2003 graduate of Lincoln Way Central High School.

MINNESOTA
HIBBING (formerly from Lynwood, IL) – 2nd Lt. Christine Drankiewicz, a Summer 2007 Bachelor of Science graduate with a law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Aviation Corps. She will go to Fort Rucker, AL for Officer Basic Course and then receive her first duty assignment. Christine's father, Gary Drankiewicz, and uncle, Keith Drankiewicz, pinned on her gold bars. Christine is a 2003 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights. Her parents, Gary and Maureen Drankiewicz, live in Hibbing, MN.

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