On May 10, the event — held at a Marriott hotel adjacent to campus — was absent of some of Stetson’s rich tradition. Yet, the prevailing sense of accomplishment was undeniable.

Five students from the university’s Class of 2021 advanced from cadets to new officers, receiving commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a modified Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony. Also, a sixth student is poised to receive that commission this summer, according to Ret. LTC Oakland McCulloch, recruiting operations officer for the Eagle Battalion Army ROTC.

The Eagle Battalion consists of Stetson, Embry-Riddle (host school), Bethune-Cookman University and Daytona State College. The Eagle Battalion is among nation’s largest Army ROTC units. Notably, in 2019 McCulloch was named national Recruiter of the Year by the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

Stetson’s new second lieutenants, including their hometown, academic degree and service destination:

Jacob W. G. Acevedo

• Palmetto, Florida
• Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences
• Army Reserve, Military Police

Gabriel L. Burke

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Bachelor of Arts, Business
• Army National Guard, Infantry

Aneli Herreravasquez

• Palmetto, Florida
• Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences
• Army Reserve, Medical Services

Stephen M. Korotasz

• Fayetteville, North Carolina
• Bachelor of Science, Physics
• Active Duty, Ordnance

Connor M. Liston

• Titusville, Florida
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
• Active Duty, Infantry

George S. Shively (commissioning this summer)

• Annapolis, Maryland
• Bachelor of Science, Heath Science
• Active Duty, Infantry