ROTC Dauntless Battalion Commissions 2025 Officers
Widener University鈥檚 ROTC program celebrated its 2025 Commissioning Ceremony in Alumni Auditorium on Saturday, May 24 with 14 cadets taking the oath of office as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
Four Widener students were among the cadets commissioned, and a fifth will commission on May 30. The group of 14 that was celebrated on Saturday hailed from four area universities and all trained through the Dauntless Battalion unit at Widener, where they engaged in the hands-on, intense military training that has prepared them for successful careers.
Family members pinned the new rank to their dress uniforms, and each officer shared a silver dollar with the individual they selected to give them their first salute 鈥 a military tradition.
The officers who earned their undergraduate degrees from Widener last week, and the military careers for which they prepared, included:
鈥&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Meghan (Rampolla) Draeger, nursing corps
鈥&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Anthony Korab, corps of engineers
鈥&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Alexander Krause, military police
鈥&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Taylor (Finocchiaro) McGonigal, nursing corps
鈥&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Darryl Villard, signal corps, commissioning on May 30
In addition, current Widener student and cadet Brendon Hardy will commission in December and head into infantry service. He emceed the ceremony.
Draeger鈥檚 grandfather, Robert Hawley, a 1962 graduate of Pennsylvania Military College, was the ceremony speaker. He provided the new officers with multiple pieces of advice on the essentials of leadership, including the importance of authenticity, empathy, communication, humility and persistence.
鈥淵ou, the future leaders of our nation, fill me with immense pride and hope,鈥 Hawley said. "I鈥檓 proud of your achievements and I鈥檓 eager for what lies ahead. I salute all of you.鈥
In addition, ROTC civilian staff members Keith Karbel and Bill Campbell were recognized for their more than 50 combined years of service to the program. Lt. Col. James Pascoe, who leads the Dauntless Battalion, said the men have supported more than 500 cadets to successful outcomes.
"It鈥檚 just incredible how much these two individuals have done. Their impact on the army has been immense," said Pascoe, who is also retiring. Pascoe will conclude his service in the fall.
Pictured above, front row from left, Meghan (Rampolla) Draeger and Taylor (Finocchiaro) McGonigal. Back row from left, Brendon Hardy, Alexander Krause and Anthony Korab.
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