2008 Woodie Awards
Cadets join together for Army ROTC ball
Amanda Kozma
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
The annual Army ROTC Military Ball was held on campus for the first time Friday night.
Cadets entered the Kent Student Center Ballroom with their dates in formal attire ready for a night of celebration. The ball is a military tradition where cadets come together to enjoy camaraderie and dancing
Army cadets from Youngstown State University and Mount Union College also attended the event. Many said they were pleased to be having the event in the ballroom because the facility was more formal than where they previously had it.
"A few years ago we had the ball in a hotel with plastic silverware and plates, so this is much nicer," senior political science major Donny Ackerman said.
They began the evening by paying tribute to fallen comrades and making a toast to the country. Cadet Ackerman served as the master of ceremonies starting the party off with door prizes for everyone who attended. Cadet Ackerman, Kent battalion commander, planned the event with the help of the rest of the seniors. They had a successful turnout, with nearly 160 people in attendance.
This years' speaker was different than usual. Ackerman said they normally have a high-ranking officer speak about his life and leadership in the military. However, this year Ackerman's father, Donald Ackerman Jr., spoke about his leadership experiences as a husband and father. Ackerman Jr. said he joined the army when he was 18, and it was the best decision he ever made.
"It taught me to have the courage to overcome my fears and trust my fellow teammates," Ackerman Jr. said.
He thanked his experiences in the army for his ability to accomplish the goals he set forth and his strength to raise a family. After Ackerman Jr. spoke, there was a short break for photographs, and the evening concluded after a night of dancing.
Contact ROTC reporter Amanda Kozma at akozma@kent.edu.
Cadets entered the Kent Student Center Ballroom with their dates in formal attire ready for a night of celebration. The ball is a military tradition where cadets come together to enjoy camaraderie and dancing
Army cadets from Youngstown State University and Mount Union College also attended the event. Many said they were pleased to be having the event in the ballroom because the facility was more formal than where they previously had it.
"A few years ago we had the ball in a hotel with plastic silverware and plates, so this is much nicer," senior political science major Donny Ackerman said.
They began the evening by paying tribute to fallen comrades and making a toast to the country. Cadet Ackerman served as the master of ceremonies starting the party off with door prizes for everyone who attended. Cadet Ackerman, Kent battalion commander, planned the event with the help of the rest of the seniors. They had a successful turnout, with nearly 160 people in attendance.
This years' speaker was different than usual. Ackerman said they normally have a high-ranking officer speak about his life and leadership in the military. However, this year Ackerman's father, Donald Ackerman Jr., spoke about his leadership experiences as a husband and father. Ackerman Jr. said he joined the army when he was 18, and it was the best decision he ever made.
"It taught me to have the courage to overcome my fears and trust my fellow teammates," Ackerman Jr. said.
He thanked his experiences in the army for his ability to accomplish the goals he set forth and his strength to raise a family. After Ackerman Jr. spoke, there was a short break for photographs, and the evening concluded after a night of dancing.
Contact ROTC reporter Amanda Kozma at akozma@kent.edu.
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