JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 2, 2022) – Cadets in the Army ROTC Program at East Tennessee State University will be commissioned as second lieutenants at a 1 p.m. ceremony at the Brown Hall Auditorium on ETSU’s main campus on Friday, May 6.
Retired Lieutenant General Ronald Hite, an ETSU alumni and Washington County native,
is the guest speaker. Hite’s awards are many: two Distinguished Service Medals, four
Legion of Merit honors and the Bronze Star, among others. A faithful supporter of
ETSU, Hite retired from the Virginia-based Cypress International as chairman and CEO
in 2005 following his years of military service.
The ETSU cadets who will be commissioned are:
Rolly Amadasun, the son of Rolly Amadasun Sr. and Candace Hyde-Amadasun of Nashville, has earned
a bachelor’s degree in history. He hopes to be assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade
in Italy.
Chase Baird, the son of Jerry and Leslie Baird of Marion, North Carolina, has earned a bachelor’s
degree in rehabilitative health science. He hopes to be assigned to the 82nd Airborne
Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Brooke Brown, the daughter of Eric and Angela Brown of Nolensville, has earned a degree in criminal
justice and criminology. She hopes to become a platoon leader and company commander.
Sydney DeLozier, the daughter of Lee and Kelley Sitton of Horse Shoe, North Carolina, has earned
a bachelor’s degree in general studies. She hopes to be assigned to the 63rd Ordnance
Company.
Layne Mitchell, the son of Brenan and Diana Mitchell of Knoxville, has earned a bachelor’s degree
in international relations and affairs. After completing the aviation officer basic
training course, he will go to training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Timothy Muncy, the son of Glen and Kathey Muncy of Atkins, Virginia, has earned a bachelor’s degree
in geoscience. He hopes to eventually be stationed in Korea.
Kelly Post, the daughter of Victoria Post and Ralph Bird of Fayetteville, North Carolina, has
earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and biochemistry and a master's degree in
sports management. She hopes to become an aeromedical pilot.
Charles Pratt, the son of James and Kelly Pratt of Etowah, North Carolina, has earned a bachelor’s
degree in history. He hopes to be assigned to the 3-15, 3rd infantry division in Fort
Stuart, Georgia.
Jake Standridge, the son of Marty and Mary Ann Standridge of Asheville, North Carolina, has earned
a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. He will attend the Army medical basic officer leader
course in San Antonio, Texas.
John Tapp, the son of Tim and Amy Tapp of Elizabethton, has earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice. He will attend military police officer training.
Nathaniel Vernon, the son of Pamela and David Vernon of Cocke County, has earned a bachelor’s degree
in criminal justice and criminology. He will serve in the infantry.
Tanner Wilson, the son of Pamela Rankin and Jamie Wilson of Morristown, has earned a bachelor’s
degree in criminal justice and military science. He will join the Ordnance Corps.
The Army ROTC unit at ETSU, first assigned to what was then East Tennessee State College
in the 1950s, has commissioned more than 1,500 second lieutenants. To learn more about
ROTC at ETSU, visit etsu.edu/cbat/rotc.