Columbus State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) battalion commissioned 11 of the U.S. Army’s newest second lieutenants during a ceremony on Thursday, May 14. Ten of the 11 commissioned into active-duty Army assignments, while one is bound for U.S. Army Reserve duty. The spring class included seven undergraduate and four master’s degree recipients.

More than half of the undergraduates graduated with interdisciplinary studies degrees. Lt. Col. Dale Cox ’19, a Columbus State alumnus who now commands the Cougar Battalion and is both department chair and professor of military science, noted that the major is increasingly popular among cadets.

“The Interdisciplinary Studies Program gives cadets coming from active-duty status a way to maximize their Joint Service Transcripts as college credit toward their degrees,” Cox said. “The program also allows our cadets and other Columbus State students to combine courses from multiple disciplines into a tailor-made program that positions them for specialized military and civilian career goals.”

Cox also highlighted that all four graduate students in this spring’s class earned master’s degrees in organizational leadership.

“Military officers’ success often hinges more on their ability to lead people, foster trust and navigate complex settings,” Cox explained. “That’s why, for ROTC cadets pursuing a graduate degree, the master’s in organization leadership is ideal. It not only deepens their understanding of effective leadership in challenging environments but also provides skills in team dynamics, ethical decision-making and organizational change, all of which are crucial for success in both military and civilian roles.”

Seven of this spring’s commissioning cadets are part of the Army’s Green to Gold Active-Duty Option program, which allows enlisted soldiers to pursue either a bachelor’s or master’s degree along with an officer commission.

“The Green to Gold program serves as a launching pad for our committed soldiers, helping them leverage their experience, acquire a first-class education and commission as an officer,” Cox explained. “Sometimes older than our progression cadets, our Green to Gold cadets provide our entire battalion valuable insights and life experience that enhance their leadership role, as they mentor their peers. Together, all cadets learn how to lead as officers.”

Four of the 11 spring graduates received Distinguished Military Graduate honors for ranking among the top 20% nationwide in the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s 2026 commissioning class. The entire class completed their studies with a combined 3.62 grade point average.

During the ceremony, the new second lieutenants were presented with their gold bars, which were pinned on by family and friends to mark their commissioning. Afterward, each received their first salute—an act that signifies the respect owed to the newly commissioned officer. This tradition is called the “Silver Dollar Salute,” involving a coin exchange between the second lieutenant and the first enlisted member who salutes them, symbolizing respect, gratitude for mentorship, and their transition from trainee to leader.

This spring’s class of commissioned second lieutenants included:

• Angel Francisco Cantero earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership.  He has served in the military since 2021 and has been selected into the Logistics Branch as his career specialty.
• Maxwell Thomas Carlise, a Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership. He has served in the military since 2014 and has been selected into the Signal Branch as his career specialty.
• Nicholas Ryan Deaton, a Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, graduating summa cum laude. He has served in the military since 2011 and has been selected into the Military Intelligence Corps as his career specialty.
• Bryelle A. Devouse, who earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and graduated cum laude, has been selected into the Army Nurse Corps as her career specialty.
• Edwin Espinosa Vazquez, who earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, has been selected into the Logistics Branch as his career specialty.
• Bria Shabazz Huckaby earned a master’s in organizational leadership. She has served in the military since 2020 and has been selected into the Logistics Branch as her career specialty.
• Tyler Ellis Kenney earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. He originally enlisted in the Army in 2013 as a cavalry scout and has been selected into the Logistics Branch as his career specialty.
• Justin T. Richman Jr., a Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and graduated summa cum laude. He has served in the military since 2014 and has been selected into the Aviation Branch as his career specialty.
• Zachary A. Roybal, a Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and graduated summa cum laude. He has served in the military since 2013 and has been selected into the Logistics Branch as his career specialty.
• Donterrious Rashad Watts, who earned a master’s in organizational leadership, has been selected into the Logistics Branch as his career specialty.
• Hannah Zoufal earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and graduated summa cum laude. She commissioned into the U.S. Army Reserves and has been selected into the Military Intelligence Branch as her career specialty.

The event was part of the university’s Spring 2026 graduation ceremonies, which included three commencement ceremonies on May 15, during which these commissioning cadets also received their academic degrees. Photos from the commissioning ceremony are available through the university’s Flickr account.