A U.S. Army officer and former Northwestern State University ROTC Cadet established a scholarship for NSU cadets who are engaged in other extracurricular campus activities. The scholarship was created by 1st Lt. Brittany Jeanice of Everett, Washington, a 2013 graduate of Northwestern State who will deploy to Iraq at the end of October.
The Jeanice Leadership and Excellence Scholarship will be awarded to a sophomore with a minimum grade point average of 3.2. The recipient must be an active member of NSU’s ROTC program and someone the NSU ROTC faculty plan to contract within the year. The same student can be awarded the whole amount of $500 or it can be a new student each fall and spring semester. The recipient must also be involved in two other organizations or teams in addition to ROTC, such as honor societies, Greek organizations, sports teams or residential assistants. Jeanice requested that NSU military science faculty collaborate with the dean of students and director of Student Activities to determine the best recipient.
The ROTC program at NSU will also be a second home to me,” Jeanice said. “While a cadet at NSU ROTC, I grew in self confidence and gained tactical and technical skills that I would have not learned otherwise. Since leaving, I’ve been able to use those skills to aid in daily operations and help develop my skills as a leader.”
Jeanice graduated from NSU in May 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Both of her parents were active military and the family moved every three years. Before enrolling at Northwestern State, she attended Mannheim High School in Germany.
Besides ROTC, she was involved with and held offices the Student Activities Board, Phi Mu, Blue Key and Purple Jackets and was a Freshman Connector and Demon VIP.
“Through the different clubs I was able to define who I was and develop skills in multi-tasking and time management,” she said. She credited many mentors at NSU – Cindy Davis, Health and Human Performance instructor; Director of Student Activities Yonna Pasch, Dean of Students Frances Conine, ROTC Instructor Raymond McDowell and former NSU president, the late Dr. Randall J. Webb – for influencing her during her college career.
“They were able to broaden my eyes and helped me create a sense of self,” Jeanice said.
“Brittany is the epitome of an ROTC student,” said. Dr. Chris Maggio, vice president of The Student Experience. “When we recruit, she is the person we look for. I’ve been so impressed with her and proud of her for giving back.”
Upon graduation, Jeanice was commissioned as a second lieutenant and has since been promoted to first lieutenant. In June, she will be promoted to captain. She encourages other students to consider joining ROTC.
“There’s nothing to lose, and only skills and a family to gain. The NSU ROTC program has different job specialties, and you’re able to get a well-rounded knowledge base of the US Army,” she said. “Since graduating, I’ve had the experience of becoming a platoon leader and am currently in my second executive officer position. Currently preparing for deployment, I’m responsible for resourcing and maintenance of our company, which is currently at 350 personnel.”
“There are a lot of deserving cadets and this scholarship will keep them in the program on their journey to becoming officers,” said Lt. Col. Katherine Carlson, head of NSU’s Department of Military Science.
For information on Northwestern State’s ROTC program, visit rotc.nsula.edu. To learn more about creating a scholarship at Northwestern State, contact the Northwestern State University Development Office at (318) 357-4414.