Presbyterian College Reserved Officers Training Corps commissioned nine students as second lieutenants during ceremonies May 9. The students, members of the Scottish Highlander Battalion, are graduating seniors at three Upstate colleges – PC, Lander University and Newberry College.

Second Lieutenant Daniel Jenkins received the prestigious Wysor Saber Award, presented to the senior Highlander Battalion cadet who has made the most valuable contributions to the Scottish Highlander Battalion throughout the year. The Wysor Saber represents outstanding leadership, teamwork and commitment to a life of service.

For the second year, Cadet Gabrielle Lesieur received the Claymore Athletic Award, presented by Lt. Col. Brian Donley, PC professor of military science.

Dale Hampton presents the Kimberly Hampton Leadership Award in memory of his daughter to Cadet Ryan Porter, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C.

PC alumnus and retired Col. Wayne Harris was inducted into the PC ROTC Hall of Fame during ceremonies led by retired Brigadier General Rick Porter, a 1978 PC graduate.

Retired Colonel Jack Zeigler delivered the keynote address. The Florence native and PC alumnus told the cadets, “I know that your families and loved ones are very proud of your accomplishments, both in the classroom and within the ROTC program. You are all now armed with a world class, liberal arts education; and you have completed one of the most demanding leadership courses and internships: Army ROTC.”

Zeigler reminded the graduates “If your service is selfless, and you follow these leader expectations, you will do very well throughout your military service.  In closing, understand that your soldiers will be young people with varying education levels who have most likely not been away from home much.  Most soldiers join the Army simply to improve their lot in life.

“The soldier’s parents believe that there is an Army Officer out there that will help their son or daughter succeed.  I am a soldier’s parent; and I believe that my son’s chain of command at Fort Benning is working hard to ensure my son succeeds.

“As a leader, always take a moment to see the world through the eyes of the Soldier.  Empathy is perhaps the most valued trait for exceptional young officers.  I challenge you to provide your Soldier’s the leadership they deserve,” Zeigler concluded.

CPT(P) Brad DeLoach, a 2004 graduate of PC, administered the Oath of Office to the cadets.

Two PC students are entering active duty. Daniel Jenkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel K. Jenkins of Sumter, is joining the Field Artillery division. Joining the Military Police is Theodore Goodson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen R. Goodson Jr. of Jacksonville, N.C.

Students entering the South Carolina Army National Guard Armor branch are PC students Kirk Boland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk W. Boland of Smoaks and Richard Taylor, son of Robert H. Taylor Jr. of Spartanburg.

Joining the South Carolina Army National Guard Corps of Engineers are Lander University students Keenan Tallent, son of Keenan Tallent Sr. and Janie Felkel of Charleston, and Jonathan Smith, son of Angela Denise Smith of Clinton.

Kevin Sinkler, a student at Newberry College, is being commissioned in the Guard’s Air Defense Artillery. He is the son of James and Kathy Sinkler of Sumter. Newberry student Christopher Keesee II, son of Chris and Patrice Keesee of Columbia, will be going in to the Transportation Branch of the South Carolina National Guard.

PC student Adam Bradshaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bradshaw of Simpsonville, is joining the Guard’s Ordnance branch.

Two additional PC Cadets will be commissioned into the S.C. National Guard this summer following their completion of cadet summer training at Fort Knox, Ky. Zachary Furr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ray Furr of Aiken, will join the Guard’s transportation unit. Nicholas Smith, son of Dr. and Mrs. Roy E. Smith of Camden, will join the military intelligence unit.

Founded in 1880, Presbyterian College is a Carnegie One liberal arts college and is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution confers B.A. and B.S. degrees in 32 courses of study and nine pre-professional programs including pre-law, pre-med, pre-pharmacy and pre-theological. The PC School of Pharmacy is in the process of gaining full accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. For more information, visit www.presby.edu.

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