USM Army ROTC Holds Commissioning Ceremony
Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:12am | By: Ivonne Kawas
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training
Corps (ROTC) – Golden Eagle Battalion held a commissioning ceremony this month for
two distinguished USM graduates Lieutenants Donovan Keys and Kemal Harper.
Lt. Keys, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management (formerly Construction Engineering Technology) and will serve in the Mississippi Army National Guard as an Armor Officer. Lt. Keys' traditional first salute was given to him by SFC Dreamus Harron. Lt. Keys is the 1,685th lieutenant commissioned from the USM Army ROTC program and was presented with an USM Coin engraved with his number. He was accompanied by his parents Sgt. First Class (retired) Darryl Keys and Trimella Keys.
Lt. Harper, a native of Collins, Miss., is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and will serve in the Active-Duty Army as an Armor Officer. Lt. Harper's traditional
first salute was given to him by MSG Ernest Harper, his father. LT Harper is the 1,686th lieutenant commissioned from the USM Army ROTC program and also received a USM coin
engraved with his number. He was accompanied by his parents Master Sergeant Ernest
Harper and Kimberly Harper, fiancée Ms. Esme Jones, and his daughter Genesis.
Did you know approximately 70 percent of all new officers entering the U.S. Army each year are commissioned through Army ROTC? Find your warrior as a cadet in the Golden Eagle Battalion, learn more about Military Science (Army ROTC) at Southern Miss!