“I’m grateful for everything Shippensburg offered me,” Caleb Smith ’25 said. “Every challenge and opportunity has brought me closer to the leader I want to become.”
Caleb Smith graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science in economics with a concentration in business and a minor in military science. Throughout his time at Ship, Smith remained actively involved in ROTC, career development, band and Greek life. Now, he is preparing to begin the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course (FABOLC) in January 2026 and begin his military service as a second lieutenant in the US Army.
As a member of Army ROTC for the past four years, Smith has progressed to some of the highest Raider Battalion positions. As the spring 2025 Cadet Battalion Executive Officer, he served as the second-in-command of a 70+ unit and led a staff of 18 cadets. Smith also planned the 2025 Military Science Department Dining Out, served as the Battalion S1 in the fall and was the head of fundraising and mentor to fellow Raider cadets.
“Serving in these roles gave me a strong sense of purpose and responsibility,” Smith said. “It prepared me for the kind of leadership that will be expected of me as a Field Artillery Officer.”
Smith first learned about the ROTC program through speaking with retired Lieutenant Colonel Clay Novak. “He told me the great benefits of ROTC. I could get my education paid for. I as awarded a 3-year National Scholarship by applying, along with a guaranteed job as an officer after graduation.”
Beyond Army ROTC, Smith held a summer internship with ABC Supply at their Stanton, DE and Middletown, PA locations. During his internship, he developed a capstone project that reduced customer pickup times by two and a half minutes, increasing daily productivity by about two hours. Smith then went on to maintain a full-time sales position while still pursuing his studies.
On campus, Smith was heavily involved in Ship’s music programs. He performed in the Shippensburg University Marching Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. As section leader and center snare of the drumline, he led rehearsals, recruited members and wrote audition packets. He also performed in the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, which won the 2022 Drum Corps Associates World Championship, and served as a drumline instructor at Big Spring High School and Mechanicsburg High School.
“Music has always been a huge part of my life,” he said. “Being a part of ensembles taught me discipline, time management and teamwork, which are all skills that transfer directly to both the military and the workplace.”
Smith’s campus involvement also included being a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. He served as the vice president of administration and held multiple chair positions. As philanthropy chair, he led a Relay for Life campaign that raised $4,500.
From the start to finish of Smith’s journey at Ship, he has dedicated himself to his education, career path and extracurriculars. Now, as he prepares to enter active duty as a second lieutenant, he will continue to carry the knowledge he gained with him during his four years at Ship.
