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Outstanding cadets honored, Gov. Gibbons presents awards

May 3, 2007

On Wednesday May 2, 2007 the University of Nevada, Reno Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) department of military science honored several distinguished cadets and inducted Mr. Jon Bengston into the ROTC Hall of Fame.

"Congratulations to all Military Science Cadets who have been honored today," said Lt. Col. Maryott. "We extend our sincere appreciation to those individuals and organizations who contributed to the Military Science Department."

Several distinguished guests were present for the ceremony including: Governor Jim Gibbons; University of Nevada, Reno President Milton Glick; Nevada basketball coach Mark Fox; Dr. Ty Cobb; Chuck Fulkerson; and many representatives from local veterans organizations.

"Being here today is a privilege," Gov. Jim Gibbons said. I'm a 1967 graduate who participated in the ROTC program. It feels great that the United States will be under the leadership of these bright, talented and hard-working young people."

In addition to acknowledging the hard work of the cadets, Mr. Jon Bengston was inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. He is the former Civilian Assistant to the Secretary of the Army (CASA). Ty Cobb, Sr. will now serve in the prestigious CASA position.

As part of Bengston's introduction by Col. Alex Wood, he said that Bengston embodied all of the key leadership characteristics.

"To be a great leader you must know yourself, be yourself and give yourself," said Col Wood. "Jon Bengston has done all of these and it is my pleasure to induct him into the Hall of Fame."

"It is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," said Jon Bengston. "I am humbled by the experience and have a deep respect and give heartfelt thanks to everyone here."

The ROTC program at the University is growing. More than 25 cadets will be sent to Fort Lewis to complete leadership development training this summer. Additionally, more than 10 men have been inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame.

"These Hall of Fame members are the best of the best," said Lt. Col. Maryott. "They are committed to serving their community, University and the US Army with passion and pride."

Other awards given included:

• Superior Cadet Award – Cassie Wyllie, Jennifer Hague, Caleb Sheffield, Megan O' Keefe
• American Legion Award – Jeff Morgan, Jennifer Hague, Wes Leedy, Brian Alexander, Lindsay Barnes, Phil Roen, and Caleb Sheffield
• Association of the United States Army – Phil Riglick, Nick Sabatino
• Captain Terry Cryder – Brannon Memorial Scholarship – Leda Mora
• City of Reno Outstanding Cadet Trophy – Phil Roen
• Colonel and Mrs. John Etchemendy Scholarship – Jeff Morgan and Jeff Donis
• Combat leader Award – Michael Settembre
• Distinguished Military Graduate – Brian Alexander
• Frost Family Award – Spencer Dawson, Joshua Drellack, Christopher Fransioli, Megan O'Keefe
• Geroge C. Marshall Award – Christine Tissler-McMillen
• Goetz Memorial Award – Caleb Sheffield
• Linda Smith Award – Dillon Sauer
• Military Officer Association of America Award – Chris Fransioli
• Military order of the Purple Heart Award – Patrick Barry
• Military Order of World Wars Award – Kandice Gonzales, Josh Drellack, Alexandra Becker
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Award – Nick Sabatino
• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution – Cassie Wyllie
• National Sojourners Award – Jeff Donis
• Northern California Chapter, 101st Airborne Association Award – Trevor Weaver and David Connolly
• Nevada Guard Outstanding Graduate Award – Jeff Morgan
• Order of Founders and Patriots of America – Ryan Mian
• Ranger Commander's Award – Phil Riglick
• Reserve Officer's Association Award – Michael Settembre, Ciara Ross, Hayes Wilson
• Scottish Rite of Free Masonry – Zachary Taylor-Warren
• SGM Lloyd Rahlf Leadership Award – Trevor Weaver and Phil Riglick
• Sierra Guard Trophy – Nick Sabatino
• Sons of the American Revolution – Jason Rapp
• South Reno Rotary Club Scholarship – Leda Mora, Lindsay Barnes, Wesley Leedy
• State of Nevada Governor's Award – Cassie Wyllie
• The Wisham Leadership Award – David Connolly
• United States Automobile Association – Andrew Wilder
• University of Nevada, Reno President's Award – Brian Alexander
• Veterans of Foreign Wars – Dustin Petersen
• Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association – Jennifer Hague