Four Claflin University graduating seniors will be commissioned with the rank of second lieutenant (O-1) on Thursday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m., at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the campus of South Carolina State University. They will also be recognized at Claflin's 148th Commencement on Saturday, May 12, at 11:00 a.m., at the Seventh-day Adventist Worship and Convention Center on Neeses Highway in Orangeburg.

 

The students have completed South Carolina State University's Bulldog Battalion Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program and earned active duty commission in the United States Army.

 

Since 1967, Claflin University has offered Air Force and Army ROTC programs through a cross enrollment agreement with South Carolina State University. The pilot program began with 13 students. Officially signed in 1972, the program was coordinated by the late Charles H. Johnson, dean of student affairs (1967-1986). By 1977, there were 107 students enrolled in the program, both males and females. To date, a total of 128 cadets (including this year's candidates) have been commissioned with the rank of second lieutenant through the program.

 

Meet Claflin's 2018 ROTC graduates:

 

Deandre Jordan Jennings, a criminal justice major from Columbia, S.C., will be commissioned in Army Reserve duty and serve in the Military Police Corps. Upon graduation, he will report to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC-B) and upon completion will be stationed in Decatur, Georgia.

 

Like most young adults, Jennings is eager about this next stage in life. "I decided to go into the service because I wanted to do something different with my life," he said. He is also excited about the opportunity to travel which will allow him to see other places in the world.

 

While at Claflin, Jennings served as a peer mentor which allowed him to serve as a mentor to freshman students. "Being a peer mentor is probably one of the programs that help me most to develop my leadership skills for the future. Having that experience really helped me develop for the future I have ahead of me," he said. Jennings is also a member of Lambda Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

 

Latasha Camray Deasia Jones, an early childhood education major from Charleston, S.C., is currently serving in the Army National Guard. She will be commissioned in active duty and serve in the Signal Corps. After graduation, Jones will report to Fort Gordon, Georgia, for Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC-B) and upon completion will be stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

 

Jones comes from a family that has served in the military. "My interest seemed natural," she said. A few of her cousins have served in the Army, Navy, and Marines. Jones's sister served in the Army as well as both of her grandfathers, uncle, and great uncle.

 

After completing four years of JROTC at Burke High School, she joined the Army National Guard on August 6, 2013. She has chosen Signal Corps to serve because of her love of technology.

 

Graduating magna cum laude, Jones believes Claflin helped to prepare her for this new duty by exposing her to different cultures. She also appreciated the support she received from her professors. "My advisors and other staff in the School of Education supported and encouraged me when I was taking my teaching certification exams. The encouragement helped me and I was successful in the end," she said. 

 

Jessica Brielle Mozie, a business administration major with a concentration in accounting from Winnsboro, S.C., will be commissioned in active duty and serve in the Adjutants General Corps. After graduation, she was selected to go to Fort Knox, Kentucky as a cadre member for CST Advance Camp 2018. Afterwards, she will report to Fort Jackson located in Columbia, S.C. for Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC-B). Upon completion of training, she will be stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C.

Graduating cum laude, Mozie chose to serve with the Adjutants General Corps because "it gives me the opportunity to take care of the Army's most important resources - people."

While a student at Claflin, Mozie was a member of National Associations of Black Accountants (NABA), Financial Management Association (FMA), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and SCSU Bulldog Battalion Army ROTC. "Claflin has helped prepare me for this service by increasing my leadership capabilities, surrounding me around a diverse group, and providing me the opportunity to network," said Mozie.