2000's
MAJ Michael Hummel, APMS (~2001-2003)We are proud to say that MAJ Michael Hummel (that's uh, Dr. Hummel) is now a member of faculty here at CalU in the Justice Studies Department. He is still an extremely passionate supporter of the program and we're glad to have him back!
MSG Lee Cottrell, Senior Military Science Instructor (2001-2005)
MSG Cottrell was born in Flint, Michigan on November 12, 1963. He entered the Army on November 2, 1982 from Sierra Vista, Arizona.
MSG Cottrell's assignment prior to the Panther Battalion was as the First Sergeant of HHC, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C. His other assignments include CSC, 1st Battalion Airborne, 505th Infantry, Fort Bragg, NC; CSC, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Camp Hovey, Korea; HHC, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Bragg, NC; U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Raleigh, with duty in Greenville N.C; HHC 4th Battalion 22nd Infantry, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; A Company and HHC, 1st Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C; C Company 2nd Battalion 54th Infantry, Fort Benning, Ga.
Among his awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, NCO Development Ribbon with numeral three, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral two, NATO Medal (Kosovo), Master Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, and the U.S. Army Recruiter Badge with two gold stars. His foreign awards include the German and Honduran Parachutist Badge, and the German Army Marksmanship Badge (Gold).
MSG Cottrell's military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Army Recruiter Course, and the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Course.
MSG Cottrell is married to the former Ms. Gloria J. Horne of Fayetteville, NC. They have one son and one daughter.
1LT Mitchell M. Bailey, Jr., 2002 2450 Leechburg Road
New Kensington, PA 15068-4697
(724) 335-8011 work
(724) 880-3914 cell
(724) 255-9955 home
mitch.baileyjr@us.army.mil
Commander of 307th Military Police Company
Mitchell M. Bailey is a military police officer with the U.S. Army. His wife, Kristen (2003), is living in Bradford, PA. Mitch was a criminal justice major. He played football from 1998 to 2000.
1LT Jaclyn M. Sickles, 2003
“I just finished OBC and now I am on deployment with the 99th RRC. I will be on deployment in Pittsburgh for at least 10 more months. My job here is to travel to different units to help through process of deploying. I am very busy, but it will help me in the long run….. I am continuously learning more things that will help prepare myself for a command. I was already a platoon leader for the 351st OD CO, 3rd PLT.”—May 20, 2005
(412) 691-0899
Note from CPT Nickerson, 10NOV2005: "I just had the extreme pleasure of sitting down and having a conversation with 2LT Earlglenn Bowser. He is currently an XO down at Fort Hood (4th ID) in the Army's first fires brigade. He was instrumental in its initial formation and helped it stand up from scratch. He will be promoted very soon. Also, he will be deploying to Iraq in the next month, so we wish him the very best and pray for a safe return. He has volunteered to speak to anyone in the program interested in the Quartermaster Corps and to answer any questions concerning life as an active duty Second Lieutenant. Once again, it was a pleasure and I was very impressed!"
earlglenn.bowser@us.army.mil and/or (254)258-2648 (shut off for deployment as of 18NOV2005)
LTC John N. Bender, PMS, UPitt Consortium, 2004-Present
LTC John Bender was born and raised in the Pittsburgh Area. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor's of Science in National Security and Public Affairs. Upon Graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry and attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, and Infantry Mortar Platoon Officer's Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.
His first assignment was in the 5-502nd Infantry, Berlin Brigade, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion S3 Air, Battalion Mortar Platoon Leader, and Battalion S4. Additionally, he deployed as a member of the 7th ATC to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Upon completion of the Infantry Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, LTC Bender was assigned to 3-14th Infantry at Fort Drum, New York, where he served as the Battalion S4 and the Commander of HHC, 3-14th Infantry. While stationed with the 3-14th, LTC Bender participated in Operations in Panama, Somalia, and Haiti.
LTC Bender returned to the United States Military Academy, where he completed his Master's of Science Degree in Leadership and Developmental Counseling through the Long Island University as part of the Tactical Officer's Education Program. He served as a Tactical Officer for Company D-4, US Corps of Cadets, and the Brigade Executive Officer for the Tactical Department. He then served as the Battalion S3 and Chief of the Department of Plans, Training, and Mobilization for the 1-1st Infantry at West Point, New York.
LTC Bender also served as the Liaison Officer to the Egyptian Governmental Organizations for the Multinational Forces and Observers, stationed in Cairo, Egypt. He then returned to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as the Battalion Executive Officer for the 1-19th Infantry.
LTC Bender's awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; the Joint Meritorious Unit Award; the Army of Occupation Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Southwest Asia Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals; the Saudi and Kuwait Liberation Medals; the Multinational Forces and Observers Medal; the Parachutists Badge; the Ranger Tab; and the Expert Infantryman's Badge.
LTC Bender is married to the former Sharleen O'Grady, a Captain in the United States Army Reserves.
E-mail: jnb10@pitt.edu
rcn3@pitt.edu
(724) 747-4904 cell
CPT Roy C. Nickerson is a native of Radcliff, Kentucky. He was commissioned in 1997 as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Western Kentucky University Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course, Field Artillery Captains’ Career Course, and the Combined Arms and Services Staff School.
CPT Nickerson’s started his career in the Republic of Korea as a Company Fire Support Officer for A Company, 1st Battalion, 503 rd Infantry (Air Assault). He was then stationed at Fort Campbell, KY where he served as the Battalion Adjutant for 3 rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery. He also served as a Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader, and Battery Executive Officer for C Battery, 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery at Fort Campbell, KY before attending the Field Artillery Captains’ Career Course. He then served as an Operations Officer for 3 rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery. CPT Nickerson was the battery commander of HHS, 3 rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery until March of 2004, when he was deployed to Egypt to serve as the Multiple Launch Rocket System Mobile Training Team Chief for the Egyptian Artillery Department’s first Multiple Launch Rocket System battalion.
CPT Nickerson’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He has also been entered into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
CPT Nickerson is married to the former Ms. Lyndi Brittingham of Evansville, Indiana. She has received the Molly Pitcher Award from the United States Army Field Artillery Association. They have one son, Alexander who is eleven.
andrew_m_golden@hotmail.com
2LT Andrew M. Golden was born in Johnstown, PA on October 12, 1982 to his parents Vincent and Loretta Golden. He was a 3-year letterman for Portage Area High School’s Football and Track Team where he served as Team Captain for both. 2LT Golden graduated from high school and entered California University of Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2001. He will be receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science and Technology. He has participated in numerous clubs and organizations while at California University, including TEAC, ITEA, Roosterhead Rugby, and the Hispanic Club. He served as both the First Sergeant and Company Commander for Panther Battalion’s Charlie Company.
2LT Golden earned his Air Assault Badge in July 2004, successfully completing the Air Assault School at Schofield Barracks, HI. He is a 2004 graduate of the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), Warrior Forge, in Fort Lewis, WA. He earned his Basic Parachutist Badge at Fort Benning, GA in December 2004. 2LT Golden will enter the Corps of Engineers in May of 2005.
2LT Golden served at Fort Knox, Kentucky as an Evaluator at the Leadership Development Course. He is currently completing the U.S. Army Engineer Officer Basic Course (OBC) in Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
2LT Jenny T. Lazarchik, 2005
2LT Jenny Teresa Lazarchik was born on December 1, 1980 in Derry, PA to her parents, Lois Lydick Lazarchik and William Roger Lazarchik. She graduated from Derry Area High School in 1999.
2LT Lazarchik began her Army career in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, C/28th Signal Battalion in Latrobe, PA on April 28, 1999. She completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC in September, 1999 and remained there for 71L (Administrative Specialist) Advanced Individual Training (AIT). She then reclassified to 31U (Signal Support Systems Specialist) in 2001. 2LT Lazarchik deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina from July 2002 to March 2003 as part of Operation Joint Forge. Upon her return, she transferred to the 656th Signal Company, 56th Stryker Brigade, Torrance, PA. 2LT Lazarchik graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology (with a Pre-Veterinary Science concentration) with Minors in Chemistry and Spanish. She is an Aviation Officer in the 1-104th Attack Aviation Battalion in Johnstown, PA. She will attend Aviation Officer Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
2LT Lazarchik’s awards include the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the MG Thomas J. Stewart Medal.
“My email is jenny.t.lazarchik@us.army.mil. I live in Derry, PA. My phone # is (724) 694-5677.”
2LT Jason Earl Vipperman was born June 3, 1980 in Wytheville, VA, to his proud parents, Dennis and Eva Vipperman. He graduated from Rural Retreat High School, Virginia, with Honors, in May 1998. 2LT Vipperman joined the Army in 1997 and was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, C/3-10 IN for Basic Combat Training directly after graduating high school. He then graduated 13F, Forward Observer (FO) Advanced Individual Training (AIT) with C/2-80 FA.
2LT Vipperman served as a Forward Observer in HHB/1-15 FA, “First to Fire” at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea from 1998-1999. Upon return to the United States, he served with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. There, he served as a Combat Observation Lasing Team (COLT) Chief in HHB/2-320 FA, “Balls of the Eagle”. He was honorably discharged from active duty in October 2000, and he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard with Detachment 1, 1-107th FA in Pittsburgh, PA. He is currently serving as the Signal Officer for HHB/1-107 FA in New Castle.
2LT Vipperman’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Driver’s Badge (Track), and the Air Assault Badge.
Note from CPT Nickerson, 09NOV2005: "Linked up with 2LT Vipperman yesterday at the Veterans Day Luncheon put on by the CalU Veterans Club (an absolutely first-class event that you must schedule and contact Mr. Williamson at Veterans Affairs about, (724) 938-4077). He just graduated from OBC at Fort Gordon, GA and will be returning to complete the Battalion S6 Course. It's really neat to see him--from fantastic Cadet to realizing his great potential as a Second Lieutenant. We are extremely proud of him! As we say in Kentucky, 'our boy done growed up good.'"