Three Tobin ROTC Cadets Recognized at Annual Awards Ceremony

Peter J. Tobin College of Business students Elena Rudy, Nathan Woodcock and Nicholas VanSlyke of the St. John’s University chapter of the Reserve Officers Training Corps were honored for their leadership and service at the Red Storm Battalion Awards Ceremony on April 5. 

The annual ceremony, which recognizes outstanding achievements by St. John’s ROTC cadets, was preceded by a surprise for Rudy, who serves as the cadet battalion commander. Earlier that morning, the graduating biology senior was informed that she was to receive the 2015-16 National Defense Transportation Association Medal Pendant Award.  She beat out cadets from the 275 colleges and universities that offer an ROTC program.

Rudy also received the Association of the United States Army Award for Military Excellence and the Reserve Officers’ Association Award. She was also one of two Distinguished Military Graduates at this year’s commissioning ceremony.

 Next month, Rudy will become a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army as a medical services officer.

Woodcock, a junior criminal justice major, and VanSlyke, a sophomore criminal justice major, both received the Association of the United States Army Award and the Reserve Officers Association Award. These awards are given to cadets who demonstrate outstanding qualities of leadership, moral character, and high aptitude for military service, and are in the top 10 percent of their ROTC class. 

VanSlyke also received the Silver Military Order of the World Wars Award for exemplary service through the Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps Battalion and for ranking in the top 10 percent of the Battalion.

“This annual event is essential to the Battalion,” said Lt. Col. Marci D. Miller, professor of military science and the Red Storm ROTC Battalion commander. “Our cadets don’t receive or expect pats on the back every time they do something correctly, so this ceremony formally recognizes them for all of their hard work and their achievements.”