Clemson University Army and Air Force ROTC commissioned 37 Second Lieutenants in joint ceremony

By: Sara M. Harris, W. Brian Kirby and Abbie Sharpe

Clemson University’s Army and Air Force ROTC units held a joint ceremony to commission thirty-seven Second Lieutenants at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The ceremony occurred on main campus at the newly renovated Memorial Auditorium in Tillman Hall. Twenty-two students received commissions into the U.S. Army, and 15 students received commissions into the U.S. Air Force.

Following the commissioning ceremony, the newly appointed Lieutenants participated in a Silver Dollar Salute on Clemson University’s Military Heritage Plaza above Bowman field. The ceremony marks the first salute received by the officer from an enlisted member. As a sign of mutual respect, the officer presents the enlisted member with a silver dollar.

The commissioning candidates for the May 7 ceremony include:

United States Army

Jorge Tobias Aquino of Laurel, Maryland, majoring in criminal justice

Carter Joseph Campbell of Wrentham, Massachusetts, majoring in political science

Nicholas Thomas Carter of Zionsville, Pennsylvania, majoring in business management

Andrew Paul Egedy of Midland Park, New Jersey, majoring in political science

Ryan Matthew Elrod of Fairfax, Virginia, majoring in biological sciences

Cole Jackson Guarneri of Hockessin, Delaware, majoring in wildlife and fisheries biology

Isabelle Frances Hageman of Erie, Colorado, majoring in marketing

William Johnson Hagner of Waxhaw, North Carolina, majoring in business management

Tyler James Herndon of Newberry, South Carolina, majoring in microbiology

Tate Caroline Lewis of Fairfax Station, Virginia, majoring in parks, recreation, and tourism management

William Stanton McKinney of Blaine, Washington, majoring in economics

Madeline Ariana Medica of Lake Forest, Illinois, majoring in wildlife and fisheries biology

Gabriel Joseph Monroe of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, majoring in criminal justice

Lauren Francis Pidcock of Leesburg, Virginia, majoring in criminal justice

Gabriel John Ratcliffe of Sterling, Virginia, majoring in Mandarin Chinese, and history

Christopher George Rebar of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, majoring in economics

Dakota Hunter Schmidt of Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in economics

John Reynolds Shipley of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, majoring in computer science

Olivia Elise Smith of Lilburn, Georgia, majoring in civil engineering

Matthew Martin Summerford of Blythewood, South Carolina, majoring in business management

Barrett Rowe Watson of Arlington, Virginia, majoring in economics

Amelia Grace Wiley of Fredrick, Maryland, majoring in biological sciences

United States Air Force

Easton P. Clark of Irmo, South Carolina, majoring in financial management

Chase T. Corbin of Morehead City, North Carolina, majoring in business management

Caleb M. Costen of Fayetteville, Georgia, majoring in elementary education

Sean M. Costigan of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, majoring in political science

William A. Guthrie of Elgin, South Carolina, majoring in criminal justice

Rena D. Jones of Weaverville, North Carolina, majoring in criminal justice

Sydney H. Lanier of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, majoring in industrial engineering

Julian L. Kimsey of Summerville, South Carolina, majoring in political science

Collin S. McCann of Tega Cay, South Carolina, majoring in business management

Daniella M. Nichols of Falls Church, Virginia, majoring in accounting

Jakob A. Padar of Sumter, South Carolina, majoring in computer science

Alexa M. Smith of York, South Carolina, majoring in computer science

Nicole A. Sopala of High Point, North Carolina, majoring in health science

George L. Vazquez of Summerville, South Carolina, majoring in political science

Riley J. Wright of Charleston, South Carolina, majoring in industrial engineering