Six CSC graduates receive Army commissions

They are Evan Baker and Dalton Boden of Ord, Neb., James Barrows of Idleyld Park, Ore., Kalee Brewer of Murdock, Neb., Cristian Yanes-Salazar of Chadron and Victor Mercado of Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

Baker graduated with a business major and military science minor. While a CSC student, Evan was president of the War Eagles club, a member of Student Senate, and a member of the Blue Key and Delta Mu Delta honor societies. After graduation, Baker will be a transportation officer in the Nebraska National Guard. He earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Barrows earned a psychology degree with a minor in military science. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s in psychology, he will commission to active duty and train to become an infantry officer. He was a 2015 George C. Marshall award recipient, and earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, Gold.

Boden earned his degree in social work. He enlisted in the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2011 and attended basic training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He has participated in many ROTC and campus events during his time at CSC and been an active part of the community. He will continue as an Infantry Officer for the Nebraska Army National Guard based in Beatrice. He earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Brewer attended CSC on a four-year ROTC scholarship and graduated with a criminal justice degree. Throughout college, Brewer participated in the Outdoor Adventure Club, attended Airborne school and studied abroad in London. Brewer will attend aviation training in December and eventually continue on to flight school where she will learn to operate a Blackhawk helicopter. She earned theGerman Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Yanes-Salazar graduated with a biology degree and plans to study medicine after going to the Army's Air Defense Program. He studied abroad in France, received the National Defense Service Award and recently spoke at the Pine Ridge Job Corps graduation.

Mercado, originally from Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, earned a Master of Science in Organizational Management, Natural Resources focus.

Three years after enlisting, Mercado earned a Green to Gold scholarship in 2013 to help him complete a master’s degree.

Mercado’s military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service medal, the Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon and the Expert Marksmanship badge with Rifle bar.

Mercado will train to become an Ordnance officer.

—CSC College Relations