The ceremony for Air Force ROTC Detachment 157, which at Stetson is under the wings of the School of Business Administration, occurred Sunday, May 5, on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 

The commissioning for Army ROTC Eagle Battalion took place Saturday, May 11, at Lee Chapel on the Stetson campus. 

Both events were a salute to professional persistence and perseverance along with a commitment to personal mental and physical readiness.

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 157, based at Embry‑Riddle, is one of the largest detachments in the country. It produces the most officers of any AFROTC unit while being one of the top pilot producers for the Air Force (with the exception of the Air Force Academy). In addition to Embry‑Riddle, Detachment 157 consists of Stetson, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College and the University of Central Florida – Daytona Beach Campus. 

At the Air Force commissioning, cadet Jerome DelMoro was the lone Stetson representative, graduating with a degree in Russian. Commissioned as an intelligence officer, DelMoro will be heading to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, to begin Intelligence school. 

In DelMoro’s words from LinkedIn: “My goal is to serve my country and to positively impact those around me.”

The Army ROTC Eagle Battalion consists of Embry-Riddle, Stetson, Daytona State College and Bethune-Cookman University. In recent years, the battalion has been a top performer, earning the Douglas MacArthur Award as one of the best ROTC programs in the nation. 

At their ceremony, a total of eight Stetson cadets became second lieutenants. 

Jonathan Boardley 

Jonathan Boardley, from Windermere, Florida, majored in Business Administration. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Club Baseball, and received a nomination for male athlete of the year for Stetson intramural sports. Boardley has been commissioned into the U.S. Army Reserves as a transportation officer.

Julie Dos-Santos 

Julie Dos-Santos, from Palm Coast, Florida, majored in Psychology and Religious Studies while working as an emergency medical technician for Volusia County, and as a fitness coach for the Stetson Wellness and Recreation. She has been commissioned into the Army Reserves Engineer Corps and will pursue a civilian career as a U.S. Air Marshal.

Richelle Eastridge 

Richelle Eastridge, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, double-majored in Psychology and Health Sciences. She was a member of Scabbard and Blade (military honor society), Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership honor society), Psi Chi (international psychology honor society), Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-health professional society), Alpha Kappa Psi (professional business fraternity), Stetson Rotaract, Student Government Association, and the swimming and running clubs. She commissioned into the Oregon National Guard as a medical service officer. 

Hunter Farrell 

Hunter Farrell, from Merritt Island, Florida, majored in Political Science with a focus in Russian and Chinese studies. Active in campus life, he was involved in the Vmeste Club (Eastern European club) and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He has been commissioned into active duty in the infantry.

Noah Johnson 

Noah Johnson, from Wiesbaden, Germany, majored in History while also working a full-time job. He has been commissioned into active duty in the infantry.

Nikolai LaLiberty 

Nikolai LaLiberty, from Sarasota, Florida, majored in Political Science while also working part time at the Stetson’s Center for Public Opinion Research. He was president of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity during his junior year. LaLiberty has been commissioned into active duty as a military intelligence officer and will be stationed at Fort Johnson in Louisiana. 

Abby Markland

Abby Markland, from Fort Myers Florida, majored in Health Sciences. She was a member of the Equestrian Club and Club Volleyball team. Markland has been commissioned into active duty as a Signal Corps officer. 

Charles Muse Jr.

Charles Muse Jr., from South Carolina, graduated with a Master of Science in Aviation with a dual focus of space studies and unmanned aerial systems. He is a member of the Color Guard, AAAA (Quad A) and Suit Lab, and he volunteers at Indigo Christian Academy. He has been commissioned as a medical services officer. 

-Michael Candelaria