The University of Wyoming’s Cowboy Battalion Army ROTC hosted its annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Hill Hall Army ROTC Gym on campus. The event recognized the hard work, dedication, and leadership potential of the university’s ROTC cadets. These future leaders were celebrated for their commitment to academic excellence, military training, and service to the United States Army.
Honoring Dedication and Leadership
The ceremony gathered cadets, faculty, alumni, and former members, all excited to recognize the achievements of the outstanding cadets. The event featured the presentation of prestigious awards to those who demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and military readiness throughout the academic year.
Professor of Military Science Lt. Col. Paul Hanson addressed the audience, noting how privileged he feels to watch these young men and women grow into strong, resilient leaders. He emphasized that these cadets are not just students but the future leaders of the Army and the nation.
Lt. Col. Hanson thanked families, mentors, and friends for their unwavering support, highlighting the importance of their role in the success of the cadets. He encouraged the cadets to embrace the values of resilience, discipline, and leadership. He stressed that the program is demanding for a reason, as a profession of arms requires the best, and the cadets have demonstrated that level of excellence.
Key Awards Presented at the Ceremony
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the prestigious George C. Marshall Award, which was awarded to Cadet William McDonald. This award is one of the highest honors in the UW ROTC program, recognizing McDonald’s exemplary leadership and dedication to military service. The award is named after U.S. Army General George C. Marshall, who played a significant role in post-WWII European reconstruction.
Former Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek, a long-time supporter of the ROTC program, presented several notable awards. He gave the Military Order of the Purple Heart Award to Cadet Eowyn Dalbec for her outstanding service and commitment to military values. The Lieutenant Colonel Barry Gasdek Inspirational Leader Award was presented to Cadets Alexander Carter, Jacob Jewell, Justin Stiles, and Ryan Engle for their exceptional character and dedication to leadership.
Gasdek also awarded The Barry and Walter Gasdek Scholarship to Cadets Brian Glowat and Rho Mecham. Cadets Vahn Williams and Odin Nelson received awards for their academic excellence, including the Association of the United States Army Award and the Association of the United States Army History Award.
Recognition of Excellence in Military Service and Leadership
The ceremony continued with a series of awards recognizing outstanding cadets for their academic achievements and military performance. Mac McDonald, representing Laramie’s American Legion Post 14, presented the American Legion General Military Excellence Award to Cadets Tori Lester, Dennis Bousman, Gavin Horn, and Ethan Berryhill. These cadets demonstrated exceptional performance both in academics and military training.
The American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award was given to Cadets Carter, Glowatz, Douglas Tumminello, and Ashton Walther for their outstanding academic performance. Other awards included the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award, which was presented to Cadets Stiles and Luke Hulen, and the United States Daughters of 1812 Award, given to Cadets Krysta Dennis and Madalin Svan.
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Award was presented to Cadet Jack Monkman by Army ROTC Alumni Darwin Pace, reflecting the program’s commitment to honoring historical and philanthropic values. The Wilson Family Scholarship, awarded by Warren Wilson, went to Cadets Montana Widowski and Mikayla Robertson.
Continued Excellence in Leadership and Military Training
Several other awards recognized outstanding contributions from cadets involved in the Simultaneous Membership Program. Cadet Ethan Berryhill was honored with the Simultaneous Membership Program Outstanding Cadet Award and the Army Achievement Medal for his leadership in the Wyoming Army National Guard.
Other military and academic awards included the National Defense Transportation Association ROTC Award, presented to Cadet Gavin Horn, and the Sons of the American Revolution Award, which went to Cadet Dennis. The Military Order of World Wars Award of Merit was awarded to Cadets Lily Trandahl, Caleb Barlow, and Widowski, while the Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award was presented to Cadets Lester, Bousman, Horn, and Berryhill.
The ceremony also recognized the efforts of cadets who contributed enthusiastically to the ROTC program, such as Cadet Bryana Funk, who received the United Services Automobile Association Spirit Award. The Gottsman ROTC Medical Professional Scholarship was presented to Cadets Grant Manlove, Madelin Svan, Williams, and Dalbec for their dedication to the medical field within the military.
Final Honors and Team Achievements
The ceremony concluded with a focus on team accomplishments, including those from the Bataan Team, Ranger Challenge, and 10 Miler Team. These teams demonstrated exceptional athleticism, teamwork, and dedication, further underscoring the excellence and determination of the ROTC cadets.
In total, more than 30 awards were given out during the ceremony, each reflecting the cadets’ achievements in leadership, military training, academics, and community service. The event highlighted not only individual accomplishments but also the collective strength of the ROTC program and its commitment to producing the next generation of military leaders.
