On Thursday, September 24, Shippensburg University celebrated two ROTC cadets during an Army ROTC commissioning ceremony in front of Old Main at the fountain. Newly commissioned second lieutenants Jonathan Hunter and Sophia Whalen were joined family, friends, university faculty, staff and ROTC cadre were present as they took the oath of office and returned their first salute.
Whalen, who graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education, commissioned into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PANG) and will serve as an Adjutant General officer. Hunter, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology, commissioned into PANG and will service as a Logistics officer.
The Shippensburg University Army ROTC Program has commissioned over 630 officers in the last 45 years. In 2025, the Department of the Army announced a strategic ROTC rebalance and optimization plan that named Shippensburg University as the host institution that also serves cadets from Dickinson College, Gettysburg College, Franklin & Marshall College, Messiah University, Millersville University and Penn State Harrisburg.
Check out the ceremony photo album.
