GREENVILLE, S.C. (November 10, 2023) – Bob Jones University held an Air Force and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) contracting ceremony, at 11 a.m. in Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium on Friday, Nov. 10.
Crosstown partnerships with Furman University (Army) and Clemson University (Air Force), launched in 2018, allow BJU students to participate in their respective ROTC battalions. While most BJU students are qualified to join either program, wear the uniform and hold the title “cadet,” exceptional cadets who stand out as scholars, athletes and leaders may be offered scholarship contracts that cover their costs of tuition, fees, and books and receive a monthly stipend.
Upon graduation, cadets who accept a scholarship commit themselves to being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with their respective military branch. For these cadets, a contracting ceremony is often held to publicly acknowledge their commitment to continue their preparation as military officers and to accept a commission at the end of their academic training.
This semester’s program featured one Air Force cadet and two Army cadets: freshman premed major Evelyn Waechter of Taylors, South Carolina; sophomore business administration major Holden Weisbecker of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and freshman international studies major Ryan Van Leuven of Taylors, South Carolina.
Dr. Bill Harrison, retired United States Army chaplain and current BJU academic advisor, emceed the ceremony and gave a presentation about the significance of military service. Major Ian Fields (assistant professor of Aerospace Studies at Clemson University) and Lt. Colonel Sarah Whitten (professor of Military Science at Furman University) administered the oath to the cadets.
Commissioned officers fulfill their commitments by serving on active duty for four years or in their branch’s reserve or guard component for eight years.
For more information about BJU’s ROTC program, click here.
