Joshua Aho Commissioned at Hampden-Sydney College Graduation

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Lt. Joshua Aho (left) receives congratulations from Lt. Colonel Douglas Aho

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (05/10/2011)(readMedia)-- On May 8, at commencement ceremonies marking the end of the 236th academic year at Hampden-Sydney College, Joshua Douglas Aho, Class of 2011, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Aho's grandfather, Lt. Colonel Douglas Aho, commissioned him, assisted by Sergeant First Class Terry Hunsinger. Pinning his gold bars were his parents, Mark and Whitney Aho of Wellesley, MA, previously of Manakin Sabot, VA. Lt. Aho received his first salute from Sergeant Hunsinger.

Graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in foreign affairs and history, Aho, while at H-SC, served as an EMT with the Prince Edward County Rescue Squad and was a member of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. At Final Convocation in May 2010 he received the James Madison Award, given to a political science major for outstanding scholastic achievement. As a member of the ROTC's Spider Battalion, Aho received the Superior Cadet award three times, the George Marshal Scholarship, and the Sons of Liberty Award. He was selected to be Battalion Commander and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne and Air Assault Schools as well as the Leadership Development and Assessment Course. He spent time with the 82nd Airborne last summer.

A private college for men, Hampden-Sydney is ranked in the top tier of liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The College is known for its liberal arts curriculum, the Honor Code which stresses individual and collective responsibility, and a focus on the needs of young men.