By Jonah Grinkewitz

Fifty-nine students from 91制片厂, Regent University, Norfolk State University and Virginia Wesleyan University took the oath to serve during the Spring 2026 Joint Commissioning Ceremony at Chartway Arena on May 14, officially beginning their careers as officers in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. The ceremony also marked the first time officer candidates from Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂 and EVMS School of Health Professions at 91制片厂 were commissioned in the joint ceremony. 

For many in attendance, the Joint Commissioning Ceremony carried special meaning due to the tragic loss of Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah (B.S. 鈥07), the longtime leader of the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion. Lt. Col. Shah鈥檚 leadership significantly shaped many of the cadets standing before family, friends and fellow service members as they took the oath to serve our country. 

Lt. Col. Shah, who led the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion since 2022, had prepared remarks for the commissioning before his death earlier this year. His wife, Katherine Shah, shared parts of those reflections during the ceremony. He had planned to speak to cadets about 鈥渟tepping into danger,鈥 moments of uncertainty and pressure or fear that test leaders and demand courage.  

鈥淗onestly, it stopped me in my tracks,鈥 said Katherine Shah, of finding this note. 鈥淲hat none of us knew at the time was that Brandon himself would step directly into a danger area. On the day he died, my husband saw danger, and - without hesitation - he rushed toward it.鈥  

The keynote speaker, retired Lt. Gen. Donna W. Martin (B.S. 鈥88), the 67th Inspector General of the U.S. Army, spoke to the newly commissioned officers about the responsibilities of leadership as many would soon to be stepping into assignments and moments of danger, uncertainty and pressure.  

鈥淭he leaders who matter the most in difficult times are not always the loudest, the most visible or the most celebrated,鈥 retired Lt. Gen. Martin said. 鈥淭hey are the ones who remain grounded in values, disciplined in action and faithful to the people they serve.鈥 

With nearly 30% of 91制片厂鈥檚 students being military-affiliated, the Joint Commissioning Ceremony is a pillar of tradition during the commencement season.  

Brian K. Payne, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, spoke of the ceremony as a 鈥渢urning point鈥 for each newly commissioned officer.   

鈥淭his is a turning point that we thank you for,鈥 Provost Payne said to the officers. 鈥淵ou chose to commit your life to something that few do. You answered that call to serve.鈥 

Lt. Col. Dan O鈥橠onnell, who serves as commanding officer of the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion, spoke of 鈥渢hree Cs鈥 he wanted each of them to carry forth to their new assignments. 

鈥淐haracter, competence and commitment,鈥 Lt. Col. O鈥橠onnell said. 鈥淭hese pillars are a theme that binds all great leaders.鈥 

He also recognized Mrs. Linda Baker, known to many as simply, 鈥淢rs. B.鈥  

鈥淢rs. B has played a huge part in developing Monarch Battalion second lieutenants who have character, competence and commitment,鈥 he said. 鈥淯pon entering retirement, she concludes 46 years of developing leaders.鈥 The crowd recognized her years of service and commitment with a rousing applause. 

Before the 59 students were pinned by their designated family member or friend and took their oaths of service, Capt. Matthew T. Frauenzimmer, professor of naval science and commanding officer of Naval ROTC Hampton Roads, praised them. 

鈥淭o the future officers representing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and yes, even a 鈥渮oomie鈥 out there for the Air Force, congratulations. You have earned this moment through years of discipline, sacrifice, challenges and perseverance.鈥 

Fifty students from 91制片厂 were commissioned during the ceremony, including twenty-four commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army: 

  • Raphael Afrim, Kumasi, Ghana, B.S. Computer Engineering, 91制片厂, Cyber Corps; 
  • Louis Ancheta, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Geography, 91制片厂, Infantry; 
  • Oshea Bego, Temple Hills, Maryland, B.S. Sport Management, 91制片厂, Medical Services Corps; 
  • Evan Beltran, Loudon County, Virginia, B.S. Psychology, 91制片厂, Infantry; 
  • Nikia Chambers, Buckingham, Virginia, B.S. Psychology, 91制片厂, Adjutant General Corps; 
  • Liam Clement, Brunswick, Maine, M.S. Cybersecurity, 91制片厂, Signal; 
  • Riley Farrell, Portsmouth, Virginia, B.S. Business Analytics, 91制片厂, Field Artillery; 
  • Leonyl Lazaga, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Exercise Science, 91制片厂, Medical Service Corps; 
  • Tyrell Mallory, Winchester, Virginia, B.S. Criminal Justice, 91制片厂, Armor; 
  • Jonah Menichetti, Haymarket, Virginia, B.A. Political Science, 91制片厂, Armor; 
  • Wesley Myers, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 91制片厂, Armor; 
  • Aileen O鈥橦ara Wiora, Portsmouth, Virginia, B.S. Geography, 91制片厂, Logistics; 
  • Sean O鈥橬eill, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Applied Math, 91制片厂, Infantry; 
  • Tatiyana Pollard, Gloucester, Virginia, B.A. Criminal Justice, 91制片厂, Adjutant General Corps; 
  • Katherine Proffitt, Williamsburg, Virginia, B.A. International Studies, 91制片厂, Field Artillery; 
  • Samuel Reineberg, York, Pennsylvania, B.S. Leadership, 91制片厂, Logistics; 
  • Justin Robinson, Loudon County, Virginia, B.S. Cybersecurity, 91制片厂, Signal Corps; 
  • Samora Robinson, Chesapeake, Virginia, B.S. Psychology, 91制片厂, Medical Services Corps; 
  • McKenzie Scherra, Chesterfield, Virginia, B.S. Criminal Justice, 91制片厂, Chaplain Corps Candidate; 
  • Toni Ann Schneider, Montego Bay, Jamaica, M.B. Public Administration, 91制片厂, Logistics; 
  • Nicole Smith, Ashland, Virginia, B.S. Strategic Communications, 91制片厂, Logistics; 
  • Meribeth Tubera, Silver Spring, Maryland, B.S. Pre-Clinical Studies, 91制片厂, Military Intelligence; 
  • Jahire Urtarte, Newport News, Virginia, B.S. Human Services, 91制片厂, Adjutant General Corps; and 
  • Matthew Wright, Norfolk, Virginia, B.A. History, 91制片厂, Logistics. 

Sixteen were commissioned as ensigns in the U.S. Navy: 

  • Kevin Butler, Pittsburg, Kansas, B.S. Nursing, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at 91制片厂; 
  • Jack Clark, Norfolk, Virginia, B.S. Economics, 91制片厂, Student Naval Aviator; 
  • Haley Damer, Culpeper, Virginia, B.S. Criminal Justice, 91制片厂, Student Naval Aviator; 
  • Kole Friel, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, B.S. Physics, 91制片厂, Submarine Warfare Officer; 
  • Michael Hildebrand, Humble, Texas, B.S. Physics, 91制片厂, Submarine Warfare Officer; 
  • Aiden Johnson, Norfolk, Virginia, B.S. Business Administration, 91制片厂, Surface Warfare Officer; 
  • Rhonda King, Pittsburg, Texas, B.S. Nursing, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at 91制片厂; 
  • Johnathan Miller, Dayton, Ohio, B.S. Electrical Engineering, 91制片厂, Submarine Warfare Officer; 
  • Shayne Salisbury, Glocester, Rhode Island, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 91制片厂, Submarine Warfare Officer; 
  • Ryan Sapinoso, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Information Systems & Technology, 91制片厂, Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer; 
  • Brady Semtner, Blacksburg, Virginia, B.S. Mechanical Engineering Technology, 91制片厂, Meteorology & Oceanography Officer; 
  • Christopher Sicle, Miami, Florida, B.S. Cybersecurity, 91制片厂, Student Naval Aviator; 
  • Joseph Sturgis, Mukilteo, Washington, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 91制片厂, Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer; 
  • Kaylin Thomas, Edgerton, Wisconsin, B.S. Chemistry, 91制片厂, Submarine Warfare Officer; 
  • Jamie Vasek, Phelan, California, B.S. Nursing, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at 91制片厂; and 
  • Samuel Woullard, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Mechanical Engineering Technology, 91制片厂, Student Naval Aviator. 

 Four were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps: 

  • Douglas Broadfoot, Danville, Virginia, B.A. History, 91制片厂, Marine Corps Officer; 
  • Dylan Brown, Stafford, Virginia, B.S. Criminal Justice, 91制片厂, Marine Corps Officer; 
  • William Neil, Quantico, Virginia, B.S. Leadership, 91制片厂, Marine Corps Officer; and 
  • Alex Rapin, West Chester, Pennsylvania, B.S. Business Management, 91制片厂, Marine Corps Officer. 

One was commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Navy: 

  • Caroline Doyle, Norfolk, Virginia, Master of Physician Assistant (Family Medicine), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at 91制片厂. 

 Five were commissioned as lieutenants in the U.S. Navy: 

  • Trevor DiGerolamo, Phoenix, Arizona, Doctor of Medicine (General Surgery), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂; 
  • Joseph Peluso, Winter Park, Florida, Doctor of Medicine (Pediatrics), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂; 
  • Samir Shaikh, Reisterstown, Maryland, Doctor of Medicine (Radiology), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂; 
  • Liam Spiers, Richmond, Virginia, Doctor of Medicine (Family Medicine), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂; and 
  • Julia Wilson, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Doctor of Medicine (Emergency Medicine), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂. 

And, one was commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Air Force: 

  • Jinho Dupont, Annandale, Virginia, Doctor of Medicine (Psychiatry), Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91制片厂. 

Seven students from Regent University were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army and ensigns in the U.S. Navy, including: Brennan Moody, Chesapeake, Virginia, B.A. Communications, Regent University, Signal Corps; Byron Rawlinson, Chesterfield, Virginia, M.S. Business Analytics, Regent University, Cyber; Creed Frazier, New Bern, North Carolina, B.S. Cybersecurity, Regent University, Student Naval Flight Officer; Joshua Gooch, Virginia Beach, Virginia, B.S. Cybersecurity, Regent University, Surface Warfare Officer; Caige Lackey, Atlanta, Georgia, B.S. Cybersecurity, Regent University, Information Warfare Officer; Derwin Narvaez, Middleburg, Florida, B.S. Cybersecurity, Regent University, Surface Warfare Officer; and Michael Winczner, Ponte Vedra, Florida, B.S. Information Systems & Technology, Regent University, Submarine Warfare Officer. 

For Virginia Wesleyan University, Hannah Gautreaux, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, B.A. Business Management, Military Police Corps, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. 

For Norfolk State University, Quincy Tamaribuchi, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, B.S. Business Management, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.