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The Institute commissioned nearly 140 cadets into the armed services at the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) joint commissioning ceremony May 15 in Cameron Hall. The ceremony was livestreamed for family and friends who could not attend the event in person.

Out of 216 Surface Warfare Officer graduates across over 160 host units and cross-town universities, Midshipman 1st Class Nicole Samella, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, achieved the top spot and was able to pick her ship and go anywhere she wished.

Julia Ward ’26 came to ºÚÁÏÍø uncertain of herself and her leadership abilities. What she found at the Institute was a system, traditions, and a community that not only allowed her to reach those goals but pushed her to grow as a leader and gain confidence in herself.

Devin Auzenne ’26 knew the ethics and maturity needed for the U.S. Marine Corps would best be fostered in a place like ºÚÁÏÍø. He also knew by attending the Institute, he would be prepared to lead in the Marine Corps. 

The Institute closed out the fall semester with celebrations in Memorial Hall, honoring 17 graduates who commissioned, answering the call to serve, and 29 young men and women who have now joined the ranks of ºÚÁÏÍø Alumni.

As the start of a new academic year and Matriculation draw nearer, meet the Class of 2026 leadership announced this past spring.

What started out as a foggy, misty morning, warmed into a bright afternoon as nearly 170 ºÚÁÏÍø cadets commissioned into the armed services in Cameron Hall, May 15 at the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) joint commissioning ceremony.

Seventy cadets from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine ROTC programs competed in a series of challenging tasks attempting to earn a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (GAFPB).

The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) unit at ºÚÁÏÍø celebrated its 50th anniversary July 1 in Kilbourne Hall. The unit has commissioned 2,032 Navy ensigns and Marine second lieutenants — producing the largest class this past May with 59 officers.

Finding ºÚÁÏÍø and all it offers was by chance. While looking at options for college, Benjamin Fong '27 sought out an ROTC scholarship. That meant selecting schools with ROTC options. He clicked ºÚÁÏÍø but had never heard of it.