LTC Brian L. Baker, Professor of Military Science at MIT, presented a civilian award for patriotic service to President Summers and thanked him for "supporting our program through thick and thin". Referring to President Summers he said "thank you for your unwavering leadership ... I can imagine a day when you allow us to post a captain and a sergeant in the Yard once again, tied to the MIT program".
President Summers noted that the freshman year of the graduates began during the events of September 11th and said "Your university affirms the importance of the service to the nation that you are to perform".
Colonel John W. Small '55 USAF (Ret.) called for Harvard to have its own ROTC program and said that Harvard should provide high quality graduates for the armed services.
Captain Vincent Tuohey '01 spoke of his experiences in Iraq, including safeguarding the voting in January. Stressing that education is not a commodity, he said "Now more than ever, the military needs leaders of your background and education". Saluting the commitment of the graduates he noted "All of you entered ROTC after 9-11 knowing full well the dangers of your profession".
Receiving commissions were Army Second Lieutenants Dan Kanivas, William Francis Conners and Nickolas Neal, Navy Ensigns Stephanie Haynsworth Hendricks and David Gardner Patterson and Navy Second Lieutenant Sean David Wilson, and Air Force Second Lieutenant Nicholas Terrell Siler. Also participating was Kyle Ernest Scherer, who will be commissioned in the Army National Guard after a military course this summer.
Advocates for Harvard ROTC and the Harvard ROTC Alumni Fund were thanked both by organizers and speakers during the ceremony, and after the ceremony, members of the groups presented a Harvard chair to LTC Baker in recognition of his leadership in creating an atmosphere supportive of ROTC cadets at Harvard.
(click photos for more detail)
 |
 |
 |
 |
