Tradition and Triumph: University Honors ROTC Excellence at 108th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony
A time-honored celebration of academic achievement, leadership and military history was on full display at the JMA Wireless Dome during the 108th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony on March 28.
The annual tradition brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and University stakeholders to recognize the accomplishments and success of cadets from Syracuse University’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs.
The event is one of Syracuse University’s oldest traditions, originating in 1917 under the direction of then-Chancellor James R. Day. Among the cadets reviewed in that inaugural ceremony was future Chancellor William Pearson Tolley, who would later play a critical role in expanding access to higher education for veterans through his contributions to the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.
This year’s ceremony featured a formal inspection of the troops by Chancellor Kent Syverud and the presentation of awards recognizing academic, leadership and civic excellence. Both University leadership and representatives from local Veteran Service Organizations were on hand to present awards to the deserving cadets.
“Every year the Army and Air Force ROTC cadets at Syracuse University make significant accomplishments and contributions which are important for us, as a campus community, to recognize and celebrate,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Ron Novack, executive director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. “Some of these cadets are D1 athletes, others are heavily involved in civic and community projects on and off campus. They’re balancing an incredible workload and staying true to their commitment to become future commissioned officers in the U.S. military. If you look at the summary of accomplishments these cadets have made over the last year, it’s truly remarkable.”
Among the highest honors presented were the General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award and the Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award, given to top-performing cadets in the Army and Air Force ROTC respectively.
The General Edward C. Meyer Leadership Award was presented to U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Andrew Lopane for demonstrating exceptional officer potential and leadership. Lopane is enrolled at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry where he studies landscape architecture, and has also volunteered with Syracuse University Ambulance, a student organization that responds to more than 1,500 medical emergencies each year.
“The Chancellor’s Review is a longstanding tradition that honors the dedication, leadership and achievements of Army and Air Force ROTC cadets, reinforcing the University’s deep connection to military service,” says U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Coyne, professor of military science at Syracuse University and the commander of the Stalwart Battalion. “Through this event, cadets gain well-earned recognition for their hard work, motivation to excel, and a sense of pride in their commitment to serving the nation.”
The Professor John A. and Dean Marion Meyer Scholar Award was presented to U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Charles Tang ’25 for exemplary performance and inspirational leadership. Tang, who is studying political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, was also named a Dottle Scholar in 2023, and credits his time at Syracuse for shaping the person he is today.
“Four years ago, I would not have ever imagined a career in the military. Syracuse University and the AFROTC program have made me confident in my ability to lead as a future officer in the US Air Force,” says Tang. “I have taken great pleasure in working with my peers to train and mentor our younger cadets, and I am grateful for this unique opportunity Syracuse has provided me with.”
The ceremony closed with a Pass in Review, a military tradition symbolizing honor and respect, as the cadets marched in formation across the field in front of their families and university leaders.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Skarda, commander of Detachment 535, summed up the significance of the moment: “Syracuse University doesn’t just talk about supporting ROTC—it has demonstrated that commitment for 108 years in a tradition that even predates the Air Force itself. For our cadets, this event is more than a ceremony; it’s a powerful moment of pride and recognition that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
To view a photo gallery of this year’s event, visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Flickr page.
