Students walking on the Parade Ground Thursday took a minute to stop and observe the uniformed cadets, listen to the music and hear the chancellor speak on his last Chancellor’s Day at the University.
As an annual tradition of the University, Chancellor’s Day is a way to honor both the Chancellor and the Corps of Cadets.
Since Chancellor Mark Emmert is leaving for the presidency at the University of Washington, this will be the last time he is honored at the annual Chancellor’s Day celebration.
“Between him crowning me as homecoming queen and kissing a pig with him, I’ve been so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to have been at LSU while he was here,” said Rachel Sherburne, a mass communication senior and public affairs squadron commander for the Air Force ROTC.
Before the Corps Change of Command Ceremony, Chancellor Emmert had a message for the Army and Air Force ROTC.
“The University has indeed enjoyed greatly the benefits of the Corps,” Emmert said. “We at LSU know why your work is so important.”
The University is known as the Ole War Skule because it was a military school that required all incoming freshmen to serve at least two years in the ROTC. As a result, the University produced the second-largest number of soldiers to serve in World War II.
“A tradition of our military heritage is the command,” said Justin Thorton, the Deputy Corps Commander. “The passing of the Guidon symbolizes the transfer of responsibilities from the outgoing to the incoming commander.”
Three new cadets were given their positions as commander at the the Corps Change of Command Ceremony, which began when Cadet Christopher Duhon, the current Corps Commander, handed the corps guidon to Emmert, who passed it to the new commander, Cadet Brandon Charpantier.
Cadet Wesley Kowalczuk, Army Tiger Battalion Commander, passed the guidon to Lt. Col. Mark Caruso, who presented it to the new commander, Cadet Schrieir.
Cadet Craig Dardonne, the current Air Force Detachment 310 “Flying Tigers” Wing Commander, passed the guidon to Col. Thomas Poulos Jr., who gave command of the wing to Cadet Renee Fontenot.
Silver Wings, the Air Force’s student organization and Scotch Guard, the Army’s student organization, were present to support the ROTC program.
Chancellor, ROTC honored
April 15, 2004