Second Lieutenant
Irana D. Praileau, '20, was selected to represent Claflin University at the U.S. Army Cadet Command Virtual Commissioning Celebration on Friday, June 12. The event celebrated second lieutenants in the Class of 2020 that were commissioned across the Nation. You can watch the archived event by clicking
here.
During the ceremony Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Ryan McCarthy lead the Cadets as they recited the Oath of Commissioned Officers. Cadets participated from their homes via Facebook and YouTube live events.
2LT Paraileau along with 2LT Deanna Antoinette Brown, 2LT Brandon Traivon Guinyard, 2LT Hien Thai Nguyen Kreeger, 2LT Da'Ja Ma'Esha Louise Smalls, and 2LT Cyntasia Domineek-Alexandria Wright completed South Carolina State University's Bulldog Battalion Reserve Officers' Training Corps ( ROTC ) program and earned active duty commission in the United States Army. The virtual ceremony was held on May 7.
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) at Claflin University. By 1977, there were 107 students enrolled in the program, both males and females.