Saint Francis University Welcomes Three National Army ROTC Scholarship Recipients

Saint Francis University welcomed three new cadets into its Army ROTC program during a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 30, celebrating their selection as recipients of highly competitive  National Army ROTC Scholarships. 

The ceremony recognized Owen Ignatowski, a Cyber Security Administration and Aviation major, and Luke Hrinda, a Chemistry major. Landon Shearman, a Business Administration major and fellow scholarship recipient, could not attend the ceremony because he was competing in a soccer match that day. 

Dr. Art Remillard, dean of the School of STEAM, presided over the ceremony and welcomed the new cadets to the Army ROTC program. Father Jason Wooleyhan, chaplain for the Saint Francis ROTC program, offered the invocation. 

Saint Francis University President Father Malachi Van Tassell also addressed the cadets,  highlighting the University’s commitment to its ROTC program and the strong connection between the values emphasized through Army leadership and those at the heart of a Saint Francis education. 

Lt. Col. Laura Hamilton, professor of Military Science and leader of the Warrior Battalion,  presented the scholarship awards and spoke about the expectations placed on cadets throughout their ROTC experience. 

“Army ROTC develops cadets through the scholar-athlete-leader model,” Hamilton explained.  Over the course of four years, cadets are challenged academically, physically, and as leaders,  preparing them for their future roles as commissioned officers in the United States Army. 

For Ignatowski, Hrinda and Shearman, earning a National Army ROTC Scholarship represents both an accomplishment and an opportunity to continue developing as students and leaders while preparing to serve their country. 

The National Army ROTC Scholarship covers full tuition and is complemented at Saint Francis by a University-funded room-and-board scholarship. Saint Francis is one of a relatively small number of institutions with ROTC programs that provide this additional benefit to national scholarship recipients. 

Together, the scholarships reflect Saint Francis University’s commitment to supporting students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and a desire to serve. As they begin their ROTC journey at Saint Francis, the three scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to grow as scholars, athletes, and leaders while preparing for the responsibilities of becoming Army officers.