NAME: Robert Cameron

MAJOR: Political Science with an emphasis in Comparative Politics and/or Campaign Management

HOMETOWN: Owensboro, KY

HIGH SCHOOL: Apollo High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose WKU because my Army scholarship paid for everything. Also, WKU’s Army ROTC is one of the top-ranked in the nation. The university is always being renovated in order to maintain its inviting image. All staff members and students are friendly.

ABOUT ME: While in high school, I participated on the Academic Team, Cross Country, JROTC, and a few other organizations. I have been employed by McDonald’s since April 2006. For years, I have wanted to join the U.S. Army. Serving my country has been a priority for many years. Everybody should do their part!

FUTURE GOALS: I want to make the Army a career. I hope to obtain the rank of Colonel. After military retirement, I want to enter politics. One day, I would like to become President of the United States.

NAME: Peter G. Drance

MAJOR: Political Science (International Relations)

HOMETOWN: Florence, KY, Boone County

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: The first thing I found appealing about Western was the look and feel of the campus. The actual layout of campus really gives a unique atmosphere other campuses lack. The other aspect of WKU that influenced my decision was that it was three hours south of my home town. It is far enough away that I have separation from my parents but I can still go home if I need to. In reference to the ROTC program specifically; the Cadre seemed to be very passionate about their jobs. At the same time they were very down to earth and personable. They were the type of officers I wanted to one day become.

ABOUT ME:

• Earned my Eagle Scout rank
• Love the outdoors: backpacking, canoeing, camping, fishing, hunting, etc.
• Unlike most people, I enjoy running.
• I ran cross country and track throughout high school.
• I am a big airsoft enthusiast (airsoft is similar to paintball but the guns look and operate more like real guns. Instead of firing paintballs that fire sold plastic pellets.)
• I did not participate in JROTC. While this is a great program it is not a prerequisite to the ROTC.
• If you have any questions about ROTC or Western in general call me at (859)-663-8590 (do not text me!) or email me at peter.drance@wku.edu

FUTURE GOALS: When I get commissioned I want to be an Infantry officer. Then I intend to go to Ranger school and become an Airborne Ranger. Ultimately my goal is to get into Special Operations. As of right now I intend to be a career military.

NAME: Carl Duke "Duke"

MAJOR: Communications

HOMETOWN: Born in Felixstowe, England. My new hometown is Bullitt County Kentucky (I just can't pick one city so I'll represent the entire thing)

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose WKU because it has an extremely friendly atmosphere and I fell in love with the relaxed people and the caring surroundings.

ABOUT ME: I was born in England in 1988 and I moved to the states in April 1999. I am 19 years old and I graduated from North Bullitt High School CLASS OF 2007! I love to be in the outdoors and play lots of sports (ranging from Football to Cross Country Running. I have picked up an American, country, accent in the 8 years I've been in the U.S. so I now have an English/Hick accent.

FUTURE GOALS: I plan to graduate in 2011 and commission into the United States Army that same year as a Second Lieutenant. I want to buy a house and drive a New Camaro by 2015.

NAME: Gavin Hill

MAJOR: Sociology

HOMETOWN: Greenville

HIGH SCHOOL: Muhlenberg South High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I picked WKU because it is an all around great school. From the quality of the education to the social life it is all great. WKU is the best.

ABOUT ME: I am 17 years old, love camping, and all things outdoors.

FUTURE GOALS: I hope to serve my country in the army, and possibly retire from the military. If I decide not to retire than I hope to work for the federal government either in the DEA or the FBI.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Soccer

email

NAME: Brian Hoette

MAJOR: Exercise Science

HOMETOWN: Radcliff, KY

HIGH SCHOOL: North Hardin High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose Western because upon visiting and having a chance to meet with the representatives from Western’s ROTC department, I knew that me and my colleagues would be surrounded by individuals who were willing to help us successfully complete not only the ROTC program, but also a 4 year degree in our specified majors.

ABOUT ME: I am a Kentucky native. I was born in Louisville, but raised in Radcliff, KY. I’m a graduate of North Hardin High School. During my time at North Hardin I lettered twice in two varsity sports for a total of 4 times, and I also received an academic letter for a 4.0 GPA that I achieved my senior year along with an AP chemistry award. Upon graduation I was ranked 44th out of a class of 238 kids and now I’m currently enrolled at Western Kentucky University.

FUTURE GOALS: I hope to achieve my Bachelors degree by 2011 and complete the WKU ROTC program. I then plan to pursue a commission into the United States Army as an M.P. I aspire to be successful in whatever career path that may be chosen for me, but ultimately I hope to use the experience gained from my commission into the US military to aid me in my future endeavors.

NAME: Jeremy Thomas Lockhart

MAJOR: Accounting

HOMETOWN: Flaherty, KY

HIGH SCHOOL: North Hardin Christian School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose WKU because I came down to WKU when I was younger with my dad to watch a basketball game and I really liked the campus. I also chose WKU because it was big but it was not too big.

ABOUT ME: I was born in Orange Park, FL. The army transferred my dad to Kentucky when I was little so we moved up here. I played varsity soccer, baseball, and basketball in high school. I was salutatorian of my class. I enjoy the outdoors and keeping myself busy.

FUTURE GOALS: I want to become a MP.

email

NAME: Amanda Lynn McNary

MAJOR: Pre-Physical Therapy

HOMETOWN: Ekron, KY

HIGH SCHOOL: Meade County High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I love the campus, I have a lot of friends that are going to school here, and it's just the right distance from home.

ABOUT ME: I was born in Fort Stewart, GA, and I love to play sports. I have been playing soccer for 10 years, including a varsity starting position all four years of high school. My family has a large military background; at least half of my family has been Enlisted at some point. Both of my parents served, my mom in the reserves and my dad retired as an E7 after 26 years in the Army.

FUTURE GOALS: Graduate from WKU with a Pre-Physical Therapy degree as an Officer, enlist as active duty, attend Baylor University to obtain the rest of my professional degree, and work hard to earn the rank of a Captain.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Varsity soccer

email

NAME: Blaine Routt

MAJOR: Accounting

HOMETOWN: Elizabethtown

HIGH SCHOOL: John Hardin

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: WKU as well as other college ROTC programs across the state claimed that WKU had the best ROTC program in the state. WKU supposedly has an excellent business college as well.

ABOUT ME: I'm an Eagle Scout, placed first in the 4X800 meter relay at the 2007 state track meet, won the Military Order of World Wars Award, was Student of the Month four times, played soccer for four years at John Hardin, and ran cross country for a year. My interests are swimming, road tripping, and working out.

FUTURE GOALS: I plan on getting a degree in accounting and become an accountant.

NAME: Tom Shirley

MAJOR: History

HOMETOWN: Ft. Benning, GA

HIGH SCHOOL: Hart County High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: ROTC program, scholarship, close to home

ABOUT ME: I'm into video games, I love movies, and there's nothing like the right song to make the mood in any situation. I love to excercise and I really enjoy just having a good time.

FUTURE GOALS: Graduating and getting my commission.

NAME: Jonathan A. Snider

MAJOR: Communication Studies
     MINOR: Military Science
     MINOR: Leadership Studies

HOMETOWN: Smyrna, Tennessee

HIGH SCHOOL: Smyrna High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose to attend WKU for college because of the selection for the Army ROTC scholarship. I also loved the beautiful campus and the campus itself made you feel right at home. I came here for the experiences I would face not only as a young adult, but as a college student with high expectations.

ABOUT ME: I like to stay physically fit, and work out at the gym on campus. My favorite foods are Italian, Chinese, and different varieties of desserts. I listen to all kinds of music, and I am open to try new things. I like things that challenge me and make me better. I don’t mind watching a good sports game on T.V., but I would rather be playing the sport than watching.

FUTURE GOALS: My long term goals are to graduate WKU with a fine arts degree for communication studies with an outstanding G.P.A., and to commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Right now my short term goals are to keep my G.P.A up as high as I can, do well in all my classes, get my 2 mile run time to sub 12 minutes, and get accepted into and graduate from Airborne, Air Assault, and Ranger School.

email

NAME: Michael Snyder

MAJOR: Electrical Engineering

HOMETOWN: Owensboro, KY

HIGH SCHOOL: Apollo High School

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: Air Force Junior ROTC, cross-country

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose Western Kentucky University from a field of over ten colleges to which I applied, including UK, U of L, and Purdue. Obviously, I had some decision making to do earlier this year. I had full-tuition ROTC scholarships to most of the universities, and the various programs at each campus played a large part in my decision. The Army ROTC program at WKU stuck out above the rest, in terms of quality, numbers, and professors. It was also the only place to offer free room and board with the scholarship as an incentive, and the federal stipend from the Army was more than the Air Force and Navy Scholarships offered, which was the obvious choice in financial terms. Yet, that did not set my decision in stone. I wanted to consider all aspects of joining college before choosing WKU. For example, I wanted to feel warm about the place I was going to spend the next four years of my life, setting a foundation for my future. At Western, I had several friends going, the campus was close to home, and the college had a smaller student to teacher ratio, which was important to me. Everything fell into place here at WKU, and I accepted the Army ROTC scholarship, with a major in Electrical Engineering.

ABOUT ME: Since my freshman year in high school, I have known that the military is for me. I have no relatives in the military, so I am self-influenced. Junior ROTC sparked this career choice. I am an outgoing person and put hard work into everything I do. I enjoy keeping up-to-date with world news and sports. For example, I support Barack Obama, even though I am a Republican, and I am an avid NASCAR fan among most other sports. I drive frequently, and I like to relax and visit new places and meet new people. I especially enjoy watching movies, on a critical level, and my favorite is The Bourne Ultimatum followed closely by Forrest Gump. I love college and the Army!

FUTURE GOALS: It has always been an ambition of mine to at least become a Colonel in the military. Obviously, I plan to make a career out of it. I want to earn battlefield experience, and follow that up by becoming a respected leader in the corps of engineers. I have no interest at all in becoming a political leader.

email | myspace

NAME: Ryan Torres

MAJOR: Geography

HOMETOWN: Ft. Knox, KY

HIGH SCHOOL: Fort Knox High School

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: WKU had everything I was looking for in a college. A variety of classes, plenty of sports and clubs, and a welcoming atmosphere.

ABOUT ME: I come from an Army family and I am used to traveling a lot. I enjoy all kinds of sports, especially running. I love watching horror movies. I like to work out at the gym and chill with friends in my spare time. But most importantly, I like just meeting new people and learning new things.

FUTURE GOALS: Go to airborne training school. Receive my commission as an U.S. Army officer in Field Artillery and buy a red corvette.

email | myspace

NAME: Travis Williams

MAJOR: Social Studies/History

HOMETOWN: Ft. Leavenworth, KS

HIGH SCHOOL: Ft. Knox, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I came to WKU because I liked the campus feel and the ROTC program in my opinion was the best fit for me out of all the ones I visited.

ABOUT ME: I love meeting new people and activities that keep me busy. I'm an avid tennis player and an Army BRAT as well.

FUTURE GOALS: Go Active duty military, earn a degree, and make a small difference in the world.