Syracuse University has the longest continual ROTC program in the country starting in 1918 as the Students Army Training Corp (SATC). With over a hundred years of military history there have been many impressive graduates. Browse the timeline below to learn more about Syracuse University’s long-standing tradition as the Best Place for Veterans.
1922
Dr. William P. Tolley
Grad Year: 1922
School: Chancellor and President Syracuse University 1942-1969
Chancellor Tolley led a life of learning, faith work in education and was well-respected and admired for his achievements in the field.
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1949
Dr. James Mckernon Jones
Grad Year: 1949
School: Whitman School of Management
After the war, Dr. Jones entered Syracuse University under the GI Bill. He went directly into the ROTC advanced course where he was a member of the Scabbard and Blade Society and was the cadet commander and outstanding advanced student during his senior year.
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1951
LTC (R) Maurice Leonard Adams
Grad Year: 1951
School: Army ROTC commission
Lieutenant Colonel (R) Adams was born in Harlem, New York on 8 December 1926. He enlisted in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He served as an Infantryman and as a Surgical Technician.
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1951
General (R) Edward C. Meyer
Grad Year: 1951
School: United States Military Academy
General (R) Meyer was born in St. Mary’s, PA, in 1928. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1951, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and attended the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA.
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1949 / 1951
Dr. John A. Meyer and Dean Marion W. Meyer
Grad Year: 1951 / 1949
School: Pennsylvania State University / University of Maine
Dean Meyer’s association with ROTC at Syracuse University began during her tenure in the School of Management. Dr. Meyer joined Dean Meyer in their mutual interest in, and support of, the campus ROTC programs.
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1951
Dr. John A. Meyers
Grad Year: 1951
School: B.S. and M.S. from Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Meyer was the very first staff member from ESF to be awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Professional Service.
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1953
Cpt (R) Don Consaul Polley
Grad Year: 1953 / 1960
School: Syracuse University / Yale Law School
While at SU, Don was commissioned an infantry officer in the U.S. Army on 4 June 1951 and entered active duty a short time later.
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1954
Mr. Donald M. Rorke
Grad Year: 1954
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts, ROTC commission
Mr. Donald M. Rorke was awarded an MID from Syracuse in 1964 and additional work in management and design education at the Harvard Graduate School of Design
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1955
COL Fortunato (FRED) R. Priore
Grad Year: 1955
Degree: B.A. in Sociology from Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences
Colonel Priore had a very distinguished military career serving on active duty for 28 years before retiring from the Army in 1983.
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1956
MG (R) Max Baratz
Grad Year: 1956
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in political science and an ROTC commission from Syracuse University
Prior to returning to active duty, General Baratz was Executive Vice-President of Billings, Inc. and a member of the Midwest Stock Exchange.
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1958
Colonel (R) Thomas E. Fleming
Grad Year: 1958
Degree: Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University
Colonel Fleming served as personal pilot and flight instructor for numerous high ranking Flag Officers including the Chief of Staff of the Army.
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1959
Harry E. Goetzmann Jr.
Grad Year: 1959
School: School of Management at Syracuse University
Mr. Goetzmann founded Continental Information System Corp (CIS) in Syracuse. CIS grew from one man in 1968, to 1,200 employees in 1988.
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1964
Judge Norman A. Mordue
Grad Year: 1964 / 1971
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Economics / College of Law
After graduating from Law School, Judge Mordue spent ten years at the District Attorney’s Office working his way from Law Clerk to Chief Assistant District Attorney in charge of Felony and Homicide prosecutions, with a 100% conviction rate.
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1967
Mr. Patrick V. Murphy, Jr.
Grad Year: 1967
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
2LT Murphy was transferred to the 101 Airborne Division already in Vietnam. As a platoon leader, Lieutenant Murphy bravely led his soldiers through numerous battles.
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1967
Judge Howard M. Aison
Grad Year: 1967
Degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts
Judge Aison presided over 135 felony trials going to verdict. He was a Law-and-Order Judge, earning the respect of the entire community.
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1967
Reverend Richard I. Dean
Grad Year: 1967
Degree: Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences in History
Upon graduation, he was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned as an Infantry Officer.
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1967
2LT Gary A. Scott
Grad Year: 1967
School: School of Management at Syracuse University
While in ROTC, LT Scott was a member of two cadet honor societies: Pershing Rifles and Scabbard & Blade. Cadet Scott was also President of the Cadet Association.
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1968
COL (R) Robert P. Lowell
Grad Year: 1968
Degree: Syracuse University with a degree in social sciences
Colonel Lowell develops and implements policy, regulations, and directive guidance on the adjudication of employment discrimination complaints.
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1968
COL (R) John C. Woolshlager
Grad Year: 1968
School: Commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry at Syracuse University
After completing the Airborne, Ranger, and Infantry Officer Basic Courses, Colonel Woolshlager deployed to the Republic of Vietnam serving with the 173d Airborne Brigade.
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1968
William E. Utley
Grad Year: 1968
School: Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences
While a student at SU, Utley was active in the Army ROTC program and served as the Army brigade commander during his senior year.
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1969
LTC (R) Paul J. Chernauskas
Grad Year: 1969
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in economics from Syracuse University
LTC Chernauskas served as the Army ROTC Brigade Commander and Army/Air Force Joint Corps Commander and graduated as the top Distinguished Military.
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1969
LTC (RET) Robert B. Clemens
Grad Year: 1969
Degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree in English / commissioned through Army ROTC
LTC (R) Clemens led platoons in the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, and 4th Infantry Division; three in combat during the Vietnam War.
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1970
COL(R) Joseph S. Lahnstein
Grad Year: 1970
Degree: Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in International Relations
Colonel (R) Lahnstein was commissioned as an infantry officer at Syracuse University in 1970, and later became one of the initial members of the Special Forces Branch.
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1982
LTC (R) Victor Holman
Grad Year: 1982
Degrees: Dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology
In 1986, Captain Holman completed the Armor Officer Advanced Course and was assigned to Combat Developments, Fort Knox, KY.
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1985
MG Peggy Combs
Grad Year: 1985
School: Distinguished military graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program
General Peggy Combs was commissioned a Regular Army second lieutenant in the United States Army Chemical Corps in May 1985.
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1985
Mr. Borys Bakum
Grad Year: 1985
Degree: Degree in Political Science from Syracuse University’s College of Arts & Sciences
While he was a 4-year Army ROTC Scholarship student at SU, Borys was very active in the Army ROTC program.
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1987
CPT Desiree C. Wineland
Grad Year: 1987
School: Army ROTC commission from Syracuse University
Captain Wineland served 24 months as the first female to command an AH-64 Attack helicopter unit as commander of D Co.
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1987
Mr. Tim Cardwell
Grad Year: 1987
School: College of Visual and Performing Arts
Tim Cardwell, sports enthusiast, musician, actor, theater technician, soldier, was one of the 35 Syracuse students who perished on Pan Am Flight 103.
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