Three graduating seniors at Arkansas Tech University were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army National Guard during a ceremony at the Doc Bryan Student Services Center Lecture Hall in Russellville on Friday, May 7.
Ashley Patchell of Heber Springs was commissioned as a military intelligence officer, while Jackson Gray of Fordyce and Ethan Williams of Ozark were commissioned as field artillery officers.
All three completed the U.S. Army ROTC program at Arkansas Tech, and all three will be among those recognized for their academic achievements during ATU spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 8.
Gray will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Patchell will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Williams will be presented with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice with minors in emergency management and military science.
Command Sgt. Major Billy Williams served as guest speaker at Friday’s commissioning ceremony. He emphasized the importance of time management, lifelong learning and the cultivation of relationships to the new officers, which included his son Ethan.
Learn more about the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program at www.atu.edu/rotc.
