Six graduates commissioned as second lieutenants

Six McDaniel graduating seniors were commissioned as Army officers at 9 a.m. May 20 prior to Commencement. Two cadets Eric Freeman and Jesse Ringgold were recognized as Distinguished Military graduates having placed within the top 20 percent of all cadets to graduate and be commissioned in the nation.

Keynote speaker Brigadier General Michael L. Combest, a West Point graduate and a 30-year career officer stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., offered practical advice to the new lieutenants. He named Gideon, the Israelite leader described in biblical literature who led his troops into battle by his own example, as a role model. Be like Gideon, said Combest, "Set the standard, be the example every day."

The following seniors took the oath of office and received commissions as follows:

Natalie Brown, served as platoon sergeant and leader, and as a senior served as battalion adjutant and the assistant operations officer. She was commissioned as a medical service corps officer in the Maryland National Guard and will attend basic officer training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, in September.

Eric Freeman, who served as the operations officer and battalion commander, was commissioned as a military police officer and will attend the basic officer training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and military police officer's basic course at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.

Megan Jeeves, who served as squad leader, platoon sergeant, fund-raising and special events coordinator, was commissioned as an engineer officer and will attend basic officer training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. She will be assigned to Hawaii.

Brandy Malachowski, who served as squad leader, adjutant, public relations officer and peer mentor coordinator, was commissioned into the medical service corps and will serve as platoon leader of the 224th area support Medical Company's Ambulance Platoon. This winter she will attend basic officer course at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.

Jesse Ringgold, who served as the public affairs and operations officer and deputy battalion commander, was commissioned as a transportation officer and will attend basic officer training at Ft. Sill, Okla., and at Ft. Eustis, Va. He will be stationed in Germany.

Sean Summers, who served as first sergeant, platoon leader, the command sergeant major and public relations officer, was commissioned as a transportation officer and will attend basic training at Ft. Sill, Okla. After working at Leadership and Development Course (LDAC, a five-week summer camp at Ft. Lewis, Wash.), on the confidence committee. He also will attend officer basic course at Ft. Eustis, Va. where he will be stationed.

Five additional cadets who were graduated from Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg (Md.) also were commissioned at McDaniel's ceremony.

"Great leaders take advantage of adversity," said Brigadier General Michael Combest in addressing newly commissioned lieutenants on May 20.

Cadets commissioned May 20 are as follows: Bottom row (l.-r.): LTC Brian Feser, Sean Summers, Megan Jeeves, SGM Fritzsching of Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Natalie Brown, Jesse Ringgold, Brandy Malachowski, BG and keynote speaker Michael Combest. Top row (l.-r.): Eric Freeman, Ross Montfort, Gary Cover, Nathan Piereman, Jonathan McKee, John-Paul Rodriquez.

Lt. Jesse Ringgold, a distinguished military graduate, earned the prestigious Recondo badge and received an excellent evaluation during the summer of 2005 at his Leadership Development and Assessment course at Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Lt. Eric Freeman, a distinguished military graduate, began his military career in the Maryland National Guard and attended airborne school during the summer of 2004.

Lt. Brandy Malachowski gives the first salute as an officer and hands off a silver dollar to her brother, Corporal James Malachowski, U.S. Marines.

Contact Michele Cohen Leiberman, associate director of media relations, at 410-857-2294 or mleiberman@mcdaniel.edu.