Clarkson University Student Justin Harrington of Vestal, N.Y., Commissions into U.S. Air Force as Second Lieutenant

2014 May 28

Clarkson University student and Air Force ROTC Detachment 536 cadet Justin Harrington of Vestal, N.Y., a civil engineering major, recently commissioned into the U.S. Air Force at the grade of second lieutenant on May 9 at the annual commissioning ceremony.

After commissioning, Lt. Harrington will attend undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Base Texas, Texas, to become a pilot in the United States Air Force.

He was also an ROTC Distinguished Graduate. The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have set themselves apart by making extraordinarily significant contributions to our program and/or communities. It is a unique honor bestowed by the AFROTC program to recognize graduates whose accomplishments are inspirational and provide examples to all other graduates and cadets.

Clarkson University President Tony Collins delivered the opening remarks at the commissioning. The guest speaker was Col. Timothy J. LaBarge, who graduated from St. Lawrence University and is currently the commander of the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y. Every year, the AFROTC Detachment 536 commissions undergraduate degree cadets as second lieutenants. AFROTC is a college program with academic, physical and leadership laboratory requirements. It is designed to prepare a cadet for appointment as a commissioned officer, and builds confidence, inspires selflessness, and instills integrity and self-respect. Becoming a military officer requires extra training, education and expertise. In exchange for the increased responsibility, officers receive superior benefits and excellent credentials valued by both military and civilian employers. For an individual with a four-year college degree, it can be the real-world work experience necessary to advance a career. It is a head start on a lifetime of success, within the Air Force and in everything they choose to do. For more information about the Air Force ROTC program at Clarkson University, go to http://www.clarkson.edu/airforcerotc/what_is.html. Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.