Jacob Choi Hughes 727, American University 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20016-8105 Dear President Kerwin,
April 21st, 2009
Thank you for taking the time to attend today's Honors Reception, and serving the American University ever since you graduated as a fellow Eagle too. I'm sure this season brings around many fond memories of your family's heritage at American University, and I too, celebrate this graduation season with my AU family too. You should know, however, that my AU family is proud to produce more of its own every year, and with each generation, it never fails to support the motto of our school: Pro Deo Et Patria. This is because I am glad to call those AU alumni not only Eagles, but also comrades. They are my brothers and sisters who I have grown to know in the Army ROTC program, and even though we have some service rivalry, I would count the Air Force ROTC cadets in our number too. Though there are not many who join the ranks every year, those that do are the finest products of American University, and still others who do not commission such as myself, benefit from the ROTC courses too. We take pride in knowing that we walk in the footsteps of other AU alumni who have gone before us. Lieutenant Jaison Desai, who graduated in 2006 and is now stationed in Iraq, reminds me with these words below to any man who forgets the role that AU played in our nation's history. “It is the rich history and traditions of AU, the love for government and national betterment, that make it the perfect place to produce the future generation of military leaders. I would posit that its military history is already rich and robust, from its days of service as a military base in WWI, to hosting some of the nations top military minds. I would remind him of Retired General Barry McCaffrey, who received his MA from SPA in 1971. The most highly decorated 4-star general in American military history, he did four combat tours in three different wars, eventually retiring after 32 years of service, followed by service under Clinton as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. And, let us not forget President William McKinley, an oft forgotten name at AU. Graduates might remember taking classes in the McKinley building, dedicated to the late president at the 1902 laying of the cornerstone by President Theodore Roosevelt. Few know that he was a veteran of the Civil War, working his way up the ranks from private and eventually finishing as a Captain in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having received his commission for bravery in battle. He is one of 5 sitting presidents to serve as a Trustee of AU, from 1899 until his assassination in 1901. He was also close friends with another familiar name - Bishop John Fletcher Hurst, the founder of AU.” In sharing these facts with fellow AU students, we are held to the same caliber as the men and women who have served others for God and Country. It seems however, that the general reception of the AU community has been hard on our cadets in both the Army and Air Force programs. Of course, we celebrate the freedom of speech and the dissent from others who might not desire for ROTC to be at American University. After all, that is why our cadets serve—to allow others to express their views freely. We cannot convince others to affirm the presence of ROTC, and we welcome our fellow students to offer their perspectives as they wish. On the other hand, there is some significant potential for American University's cadets to be treated fairly as all its students should be. I do understand that other students have their disagreement about the military on
campus, whether they argue from the pacifist agenda, or are opponents of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. But this does not form any basis for AU staff or faculty to put cadets at any disadvantage. Over recent years, I have campaigned annually for the rights of ROTC students and each time, we have faced challenges that are harder to tackle than the rigors that our cadre put us through. That surely is saying something considering that these gifted college students spend hundreds of hours every semester training for scenarios that most of our alumni will never find themselves in. It will seem petty what requests we ask for too, since many of these items should never have to climb the ladder to meet your eyes. We truly believe that some of these could have been resolved at a departmental level of American University offices, but in my last weeks at AU, I wish to present these before you for the benefit of future cadets. As all university educators know, registration is a hectic time for all those involved, much more so for the student who has limited options and wishes to combine extra-curricular activities in their schedule. While cadets at other universities have the privilege to register early on the first day, along with athletes and campus student-staff that have demanding schedules, American University cadets have no such privilege. The result is a platoon of cadets who must attend classes throughout the week with little rest, having risen to train at 6 in the morning. I remember many days during my freshman and sophomore years where I would attend afternoon classes, having already given my best efforts for the morning. Had we been given the same rights as our NCAA athletes, RA's, and other student staff, I am sure that our cadets will return the benefit to their professors and classmates. Moreover, not only is attending classes difficult due to scheduling, but in certain courses themselves, our cadets are targeted for their unique opinion. Furthermore, as many other cadets can attest, we proudly wear the uniform to class on Uniform Days, and as a result, this disallows any cadet from expressing his or her opinion on political issues. However, professors have exploited this opportunity, and I recall taking classes with other cadets and being singled out because we wore the uniform that gave other students a voice. A measure to prevent such actions would be applauded by all the students, I believe, since it provides an equality in academic circles. Room spaces and facilities are also a need that AU has not adequately met. Since we are a registered class at AU, Military Science ought to have the right to organize itself in a class meeting space whenever necessary. However, this is not the case, and for many years, our cadets have held meetings in any available space in Mary Graydon Center. Might we even expand on the privilege of using AU's facilities, that we have inquired many times for the use of AUTO vans. The story goes beyond my freshman year, when we were told that we could not have AUTO vans because we were not a club. Then we took the advice of those in the Office of Campus Life to begin an ROTC club, but were shot down because they classified us as a class, thus under the Registrar's oversight. The following year, we returned with a proposal to use AUTO vans if we set up a military appreciation club, and efforts were further hindered by disagreements on the AUCC. Here we are today, about to pass into the new 2009-2010 school year, and the next generation of cadets will continue spending hours in transit each week and tiring early mornings and late nights simply to serve their nation and represent their university. We envy other universities who have ROTC detachments with their own vehicles, offices, and facilities, but we appeal to you for much simpler things. We also invite members of the AU community in leadership to shadow cadets for a day or two. You'll witness that our service-members represent a diverse part of the AU community from all kinds of political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Perhaps you would also like to partake in the commissioning of our new lieutenants this year from American University as they receive their first salutes.
Although they may wear the Army or Air Force uniform in the classroom, they are still American University students like the non-uniformed students too. Besides, as Senator Webb from Virginia said, "Having ROTC on college campuses won't militarize those schools, but it will liberalize the (US) military". We do not come to this university with an agenda, but instead, seek to learn of the agenda of the people of the United States, for that is the only reason why the Army exists. Additionally, these cadets are not only taught skills for the warrior, but also the skills of character. It is still ingrained in me to live up to these values of the United States Army: • Loyalty • Duty • Respect • Selfless-Service • Honor • Integrity • Personal Courage I believe that all seven of these traits are fundamental to American University's growth. Lieutenant Ryan Rooks, who graduated in 2005, reminds us that “each cadet is a student, just like anyone else and in many cases is an exceptional student that is intelligent, mentally strong, physically fit and goal oriented.” Where else can a person 6 months out of college could be responsible for 25 employees and over $7 million in equipment? Moreover, name an organization where in just three years after graduation they might be in charge of up to 220 people and tens of millions of dollars. It doesn't happen, but our AU alumni do it every day, and we should be proud that it is from this university that our leaders are grown. Leaders such as Jane and Brian Capra who graduated in 2006 and were married after meeting through Army ROTC at our beloved campus. Currently deployed in Afghanistan, they are an example of a true American diplomat. Although they may never see the same spotlight as other notable alumni, the impact the Capras make is echoed in the valleys of a nation they have come to love. There's also Lieutenant Stephanie Burns who will be in Kandahar soon as a MEDEVAC pilot. Our cadets who are about to commission include Robert Hontz, who will serve in the infantry, and Jason Oliver, a future military engineer. Lieutenant Kevin Maguire now serves in Germany with a field artillery regiment, and Lieutenant Johnny McGuire leads a platoon in Iraq. These men and women all have two great similarities: they serve in the United States Army and have graduated from American University. The combination of two fine institutions, both chartered by Congress. Your time of reading this letter is appreciated, and I wish you a great season of joy as you farewell this year's class. In doing so, please know that an elite few will go on to serve you, the university, and this country very well, pro Deo et Patria. Sincerely Yours,
Jacob Sheung-Kay Choi College of Arts and Sciences, Mathematics and Secondary Education