PERSPECTIVES

Zachary Betts
Dean’s Special Recognition

An Education major specializing in Social Studies, with a minor in Military Science, Zachary Betts was honored in 2012 by the College of Liberal Arts for his scholarship and for his achievements in the Military Science program. He is ranked number 13 out of 5,643 Army ROTC Cadets in the nation.

According to Maj. Mike Minaudo, who nominated Zachary for this honor, “Zachary Betts’ achievements are truly remarkable in light of the fact that he is the youngest of ten siblings and the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. The road to the University of Nevada was challenging and filled with adversity, and it was Zachary’s personal drive and determination that directly resulted in his success.”

A Presidential Scholar, Dean’s List scholar every semester, and member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Zachary also received the Wisham Leadership Award. Fellow ROTC cadets select the recipient of this award, which goes to the individual who has contributed the most to outstanding fellowship and leadership.

Zachary was the team captain of Ranger Challenge, which is, according to Major Minaudo, “a varsity sport equivalent team. The competition consists of a series of both mentally and physically grueling tasks.” Zachary’s team has won the annual regional competition for the past two years.

Out of all the UNR cadets, Zachary was the one selected to attend the Army Air Assault School (Ft. Knox, Kentucky), the Basic Airborne Course (Ft. Benning, Georgia), and the Army Mountain Warfare School (Jericho, Vermont). Last summer he completed the Cadet Troop Leader Training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Washington. Zachary has been selected for Active Duty Aviation and been awarded an opportunity for the Army Graduate School Program.