Twelve members of Princeton’s Class of 2025 became commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force on May 27 during a ceremony led by Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, a Class of 1987 alumnus who was commissioned through Princeton’s ROTC program more than 30 years ago.

Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli '87 delivered the commissioning address.

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Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy

Cavoli serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of the U.S. European Command. The ROTC Commissioning was held in the Faculty Room of Nassau Hall in the afternoon, following Princeton’s Commencement.

Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber took note of the historic site of the commissioning ceremony within Nassau Hall, which briefly housed the Continental Congress during Princeton’s four months serving as the nation’s capital in 1783. 

“Our constitutional tradition has deep roots here,” Eisgruber said, telling this year’s officers that they walk in the footsteps of figures including James Madison, who lived and studied in Nassau Hall, and George Washington, who as a general liberated the building from the British in the Battle of Princeton and set a new democratic precedent when he voluntarily relinquished his military powers to Congress at the end of the American Revolution. 

“Washington’s sacrifice bequeathed to this nation a special legacy,” Eisgruber said, commending the new military officers for upholding that same “promise to defend the Constitution ... not our land, not our wealth, not even our people, but our Constitution.”

Eisgruber also expressed the University's deep pride in the newly commissioned officers for their accomplishments, their courage and their commitment. "You are worthy inheritors of the history and ideals that course through this building, and I am pleased to extend to you, on behalf of Princeton University, my best wishes for the future and my most heartfelt congratulations."

Princeton students in the Class of 2025 commissioned through the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC programs are:

• Alexis “Lexi” Katherine Allen, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army;
• David “Heyward” Bryan, an ensign in the U.S. Navy;
• Lea Christina Casano-Boris, an ensign in the Navy;
• John “Jack” David Curtin, a second lieutenant in the Army;
• Carlisle Davis Imperial, an ensign in the Navy;
• Vincent Jiang, a second lieutenant in the Army;
• Christopher Daniel Lidard, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force;
• Dresden Andrew Lubic, a second lieutenant in the Army;
• Connor Gerad Neill, a second lieutenant in the Army;
• Victoria Jean Shore, a second lieutenant in the Army;
• Deven Pradip Sukha, a second lieutenant in the Army;
• Matias Vincent, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The group represented a range of majors, including history, economics, computer science, politics, electrical and computer engineering and psychology, as well as activities such as varsity and club athletics, peer advising, Athletes in Action, the Center for International Security Studies and the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

Seven students were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, three as ensigns in the U.S. Navy, one as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and one as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

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Foundations for a life of service

In his commissioning address, Cavoli recognized the contributions of Princeton’s faculty, administrators and leaders in guiding the students to this day.

“Thank you for the formation of these young Americans. Thank you for the effort you have put into imbuing them with a sense of relentless intellectual curiosity, respect for the positions of opinions of others and a value of our values,” Cavoli said. “You've given them a gift, and you've given our nation a gift, and we salute you for that.”

He encouraged the new military officers, as recipients of those gifts, to pay them forward. 

“You have been given the values, you have been given the foundation, you have been given the direction that you need as you go ahead in life. What you have been given is embodied in the motto of this great university, ‘in the nation's service,’” Cavoli said. “In almost every way, this new life you're entering is not about you; it's about others.” 

After taking their oath of office, the newly commissioned officers received their ranking pins and performed the traditional Silver Dollar Salute.

Connor Neill chose his grandfather, retired Marine Corps Cpl. Harry Neill, for his salute, while Victoria Shore chose her brother, Cadet Arthur Shore of the Villanova University Army ROTC program.

The ceremony was attended by families and friends, University administrators and military representatives, including retired Gen. Mark A. Milley, a 1980 Princeton graduate commissioned through the University’s ROTC program who served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; retired Army Brig. Gen. Alan Davis; and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Emeritus Robert J. Maguire, among others.

The afternoon was especially meaningful for family members who pinned ranks onto the graduates’ uniforms. Victoria Shore was pinned by family including her father, Army Col. Scott Shore, and her brother, Arthur.

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