Shoreham Resident and Marist College ROTC Cadet and Graduate Commissioned as Army Second Lieutenant

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (05/31/2013)(readMedia)-- Marist College student and ROTC cadet Jessica L. Kent was officially commissioned as Army Second Lieutenant at a May 23 ceremony at the historic Cornell Boathouse on Marist's Hudson River waterfront.

Second Lt. Jessica L. Kent, an English major from Shoreham, N.Y. had the oath of office read to her by Lt. Col. Richard B. Gussenhoven before her respective parents performed the pinning of the rank.

Marist College President Dennis J. Murray spoke at the ceremony, and James Johnson, Colonel. U.S. Army, retired, Dr. Frank T. Bumpus Chair in Hudson River Valley History and executive director of the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College, was the guest speaker.

Brigadier Gen. Fergal Foley (Marist '82/MPA '94), commander of the New York State Guard; Col. Eric Olsen, New York State Guard Chaplain (Marist MPA '95); and a representative of U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY 19th District) were also in attendance.

Second Lt. Kent served as resident justice of Marist College Student Government Association until her junior year when she was appointed chief justice.  Upon joining ROTC, 2LT Kent attended the Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky.  She served in numerous leadership roles and staff positions, finishing her ROTC career in the rank of cadet captain, in the position of battalion assistant S-1.  Following graduation, she will be assigned as a cadre member at the Leadership Development Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Wash. and then a permanent Army assignment at this same base.  Second Lt. Kent will be commissioned into Regular Army serving as an officer in the Quartermaster branch.