A Kansas City, Kan., student at the University of Kansas has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
2nd Lt. Edward Stimac of Kansas City, Kan., is an accounting and information systems major who recently graduated from KU.
Members of the Army, Air Force, Naval Reserve and Marines ROTC programs at the University of Kansas, as well as officer candidates, were commissioned in a joint ceremony May 19. Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little attended the event to recognize the students.
The six Navy-option and two Marine-option NROTC students were commissioned by Brig. Gen. John Simmons, commanding general of Training Command, Quantico, Va., at the ceremony, which was May 19. More than 200 people attended the event.
Commissioning was the culmination of a long training path for these former midshipmen.
During his commencement address, Simmons expressed words of encouragement, and he discussed leadership and the future responsibilities of the officers. He described the oath and offered words of wisdom garnered over his vast career experience.
Simmons administered the oath of office to the group of new officers from all four military branches simultaneously.
Commanding officers presenting the commissions were Lt. Col. Storm Reynolds, professor of military science; Lt. Col. Brian Salmans, professor of aerospace studies; and Capt. David Schweizer, professor of naval science. The chancellor and senior vice provost of academic affairs, Sara Rosen, were distinguished guests.