106th Chancellor's Review
When Syracuse University’s fourth Chancellor, James R. Day, reviewed the University’s Cadet Corps on May 4, 1917, he started what would become an annual tradition for the University’s future military leaders.
On March 31, 2023, both Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force assembled inside the JMA Wireless Dome for the 106th Chancellor’s Review to carry on that tradition.
Chancellor Kent Syverud, the University’s 12th Chancellor who called upon the campus community to make Syracuse University the best place for veterans, conducted the pass and review of cadets, escorted by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Lippert, the ranking members of the respective ROTC units.
Chancellor Syverud highlighted the accomplishments of the University’s ROTC units over the last year. Both the Army and Air Force ROTC will commission 32 officers later this spring. Additionally, the U.S. Army Stalwart Battalion has four distinguished military graduates who will commission in the top 10% of the U.S. Army’s 2023 year group, including Cadet Sarah Sharpe ’23, who came in first out of 802 cadets commissioning into the U.S. Army Reserve.
The U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment 535 will commission nine active-duty officers in the spring, including three who are from the detachment’s crosstown universities at SUNY Oswego, SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
“I’m so proud of the 140 cadets here today who continue our proud tradition of support to those who volunteer to serve,” said Chancellor Syverud during his remarks to the assembled cadets. “Congratulations on your service, leadership and academic excellence. And I’m grateful to our nine partner schools joining us today.”
The annual Chancellor’s Review is also a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the University’s ROTC cadets through a presentation of awards issued by the University and off-campus organizations.
Lt. Col. Lippert presented the Professor of Aerospace Studies Scholastic Achievement Award to cadets Adam Landry, Emily Weaver, Charles Tang and Emma Corby. The award is presented to the Air Force cadet with the highest overall academic average for each class.
The U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment awarded the McClune Scholar Award, presented by Kelly Rodoski ’92, senior communications manager and Lockerbie Scholars liaison. The award is presented to an Air Force cadet who is in the top half of their class academically, displays outstanding spirit and a positive attitude, and a commitment to international understanding and cooperation. This year’s recipient was Cadet Hunter Burns.
For the U.S. Army Stalwart Battalion, Lt. Col. Coyne presented the Distinguished Military Graduate Awards to members of the graduating class who have maintained a distinguished military student status throughout their time in ROTC and are in the top 20 percent of the national accessions order of merit list. The award was presented to Cadets Jason DiNapoli, Nolan McNeill, Benjamin Rabin and Sarah Sharpe.
Lt. Col. Coyne also presented the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award, which recognizes a cadet in the top 25 percent of their class academically, who demonstrates outstanding leadership and has strong officer potential. This year’s recipients are Army Cadets Jason DiNapoli, Richard Bruschi, John Harbaugh and Nicholas Robinson.
A complete list of the awards presented during this year’s Chancellor’s Review, along with additional photos, can be found on the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs website. Those interested in learning more about the university’s ROTC detachments are encouraged to visit veterans.syr.edu/rotc.
