By Kenya Godette

Forty-three students from four universities (鶹, Hampton University, Regent University and Virginia Wesleyan University) were commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps during 鶹’s annual Spring Commissioning Ceremony on May 8 in Chartway Arena.

Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, professor of military science at 鶹, imparted words of wisdom to the students, reminding them to never underestimate the power of words which carry so much weight in their profession.

Shah recalled his first day in the cockpit of an AH-64 Apache, a powerful military attack helicopter known for its advanced technology and fire power. His instructor pointed to one switch on the control panel, the push to talk button, and told Shah it was the most powerful weapon on the plane.

Shah’s instructor explained that pressing the button activates a lifeline while releasing it returns the operator back to listening. “And that was his point, communication matters most, not just what you say but how you say it, and just as important, stop talking and start listening,” Shah said.

“What you say can shape a mission, save lives, create clarity or cause chaos. In our profession, words carry weight,” he said.

Students also heard from keynote speaker, Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans, strategy and warfighting development. Dwyer is a decorated U.S. Navy combat veteran with more than 75 combat missions, more than 3,800 flight hours, a TOPGUN (Navy Fighter Weapons School) graduate and most recently served as a commander in the U.S. Second Fleet and NATO’s Joint Force Command in the middle zone, North America and Norfolk.

He began his remarks with a Latin saying, “si vis pacem, para bellum” — “if you want peace, prepare for war.”

“That ancient truth still guides how we preserve peace today,” he said. “Not through passivity but through presence, not through hesitation but through readiness. Each of you, from this day forward, is a steward of that peace.”

Dwyer then spoke directly to graduates waiting to receive their commissions into the Navy. He spoke of the Navy’s ships, aircrafts and submarines that are deployed and prepared to deploy around the globe to defend the nation and its allies.

“We are not just a fleet. We are a global presence. A forward force, always ready, always watching, always there,” he said.

He told the ensigns to be inspired, not intimidated, by their duty to meet threats before they reach American shores. He said they would work with new technologies, unmanned systems and AI integration to lead in dynamic environments and solve problems they may not have imagined.

“Your service will matter deeply, and your leadership will shape what comes next,” he said.

He ended by addressing all graduates, reminding them that while they operate in different domains — Army, Navy and Marines — they fight for the same nation, uphold the same values and answer the same call.

“Your commission is not the end of your journey,” he said. “It is the beginning of your responsibility. So, lead with courage, serve with humility and never forget who you are and where you came from and what you swore to defend. The nation believes in you.”

Students also heard from 鶹’s newly appointed Provost Brian K. Payne, executive vice president for Academic Affairs who congratulated them and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host ensigns from four universities.

Graduates received their insignia, while Army ensigns were also given a coin — part of a time-honored tradition to dip it in bodies of water around the world during their service. Family members then pinned the new ranks on the ensigns before Dwyer led them in their commissioning oaths.

Twenty-eight 鶹 students received commissions.

Ten were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army:

  • Joshua Arnold, Hampton, B.S. Criminal Justice, Field Artillery
  • Joseph Clark, Henrico, B.S.B.A Maritime & Supply Chain Management, Quartermaster Corps
  • Austin Condoyiannis, Virginia Beach, B.S.B.A Business Management, Quartermaster Corps
  • Mycaila Ellis, Honolulu, Hawaii, B.S. Criminal Justice, Transportation Corps
  • Dureal Hankieson, Chesapeake, B.S. Sports Management, Quartermaster Corps
  • Trevor Holmes, Chesapeake, B.S. Leadership, Quartermaster Officer
  • Jakob Huffman, Chesapeake, B.S. Political Science, Military Intelligence Corps
  • Nicholas Moore, Alexandria, B.S. Criminal Justice, Ordnance Corps
  • Noah Payton, Tulsa, Oklahoma, B.A. Music Composition, Chemical Corps
  • Melixa Willis-Betancur, Brentwood, New York, M.P.H. Health Behavior & Promotion, Medical Service Corps

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

  • Adeleinne Alberto, Virginia Beach, B.S. Nursing, Nurse Corps
  • Jacob Cagle, Memphis, Tennessee, B.S. Cybersecurity, Surface Warfare Officer
  • Sarah Campbell, Stedman, North Carolina, B.S. Nursing, Nurse Corps
  • Noah Canody, Fairfax, B.S. Criminal Justice, Submarine Officer
  • Kieran Chateau, Sesser, Illinois, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer
  • Daniel Del Rio Figueroa, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, B.S. Computer Science, Information Professional Officer
  • Angelica Guingon, Virginia Beach, B.S.B.A. Information Systems & Technology, Student Naval Flight Officer
  • Trent Holdcraft, Williamsburg, B.S.B.A Maritime & Supply Chain Management, Student Naval Aviator
  • Bryant Humud-Arboleda, Newark, New Jersey, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Submarine Officer
  • Jeremy Joe, Virginia Beach, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Submarine Officer
  • Jim Lee, Jeonju, South Korea, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Surface Warfare Engineering Duty Officer
  • Hong Liu, Los Angeles, California, B.S. Nursing, Nurse Corps
  • Megan Madden, Jacksonville, North Carolina, B.S. Civil Engineering, Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer
  • John Mitchell, Charleston, West Virginia, B.S. Ocean and Earth Science, Surface Warfare Officer
  • Sergio Navarro, Kyle, Texas, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Submarine Officer
  • Niaré Patton, Norfolk, B.S. Biological Sciences, Surface Warfare Officer
  • John Peck, Dayton, Ohio, B.S. Cybersecurity, Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer
  • Robert Suchyta, Arlington, B.A. History, Student Naval Aviator

Hampton University

Marine Corps second lieutenant

  • Charles Lindsey Jr., Detroit, Michigan, B.S. Finance & Accounting, Marine Corps Officer

Regent University

Army second lieutenant

  • Brett Boll, Waterbury, Connecticut, B.S. Business, Medical Service Corps
  • Justin Burns, Montpelier, B.S. Business, Transportation Corps
  • Gary Powers, Portsmouth, B.S. Information Systems Technology, Armor

Navy ensign

  • Zachary Carden, Georgetown, Texas, B.S. Cybersecurity, Student Naval Aviator
  • Grace Hopkins, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, B.S. Cybersecurity, Surface Warfare Officer
  • Marc Merchen, Lemmon, South Dakota, B.S. Mathematics, Surface Warfare Officer
  • Nasir Prout, New Orleans, Louisianna, B.S. Cybersecurity, Student Naval Flight Officer
  • Justin Riddick, Virginia Beach, B.S. Cybersecurity, Surface Warfare Officer
  • Dayani Rodriguez, Freeport, New York, B.S. Cybersecurity, Student Naval Aviator
  • Kyle Shea, Spring, Texas, B.S. Cybersecurity, Submarine Officer

Marine Corps second lieutenant

  • Kevin McPherson, Palm Beach, Florida, B.S. Business, Marine Corps Officer

Virginia Wesleyan University

Army Second Lieutenant

  • Emily Burgess, Reedville, B.A. Biology, Quartermaster Corps
  • Aanykka Jackson, Suffolk, B.A. Allied Health Studies, Transportation Corps
  • Shaunice Rone, Woodbridge, B.A. Criminal Justice, Military Police Corps

The Military Commissioning Ceremony for Eastern Virginia Medical School at 鶹 and the EVMS School of Health Professions at 鶹 will be held on May 15. Graduating physician assistant students will be honored and medical students will be commissioned into service.

United States Army

  • Carlo DelDonno, Captain, MD

United States Navy

  • Michael Brokate, Lieutenant Junior Grade, M.P.A.
  • Samantha Marie Strohm Carey, Lieutenant, MD
  • Erika Dopson, Lieutenant, MD
  • Joshua Tyler Kolba, Lieutenant Junior Grade, M.P.A.
  • Elizabeth Evans McGrady, Lieutenant, MD
  • Savannah Marie Newton, Lieutenant, MD Class of 2025

United States Air Force

  • Elliot Smits, Captain, MD Class of 2025