NAME: Edwin Pfaff

MAJOR: Exercise science

HIGH SCHOOL: North Hardin

HOMETOWN: Royal Oak, MI

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose WKU because it has its own city built into it. It’s not like Louisville or Kentucky where it is mixed into the city. And the guard is paying for it.

ABOUT ME: I am in the National Guard as a medic. I play rugby for western.

FUTURE GOALS: to graduate

NAME: David Sutton           

MAJOR: Pre-Med Minor: Chemistry

HIGH SCHOOL: Warren Central High

HOMETOWN: Olympia WA

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: In Kentucky the Biology department has the highest MCAT pass rate in the state.

ABOUT ME: I am 30 years old, married have 1 daughter. I have served in Iraq during 05 and 06 as a combat medic

FUTURE GOALS: I want to go to airborne school, air assault, and flight surgeons school. Complete Western and ROTC while working on getting the Army Medical School Scholarship.

NAME: Jesse DeJaynes

MAJOR: Systems Management

HIGH SCHOOL: Warren East High School

HOMETOWN: Bowling Green, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose WKU because it’s my hometown and I really think that Western is a great campus.

ABOUT ME: I was on active duty for two and a half years with D Co. 3-25th Aviation. My first duty station was Hawaii. I enlisted as a Blackhawk mechanic and knew I was coming back to Western for ROTC.  I applied for a Green to Gold Non-Scholarship option and was awarded it in January. 

FUTURE GOALS: Become a great officer and pilot.  I hope to someday start a business after I retire from the Army

NAME: Nicholas Velotta     

MAJOR: Interdisciplinary studies                

HIGH SCHOOL: Warren Central

HOMETOWN: bowling green

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: Close to home and a great ROTC Program

ABOUT ME: I joined the Army National Guard as a 19K (Tanker) on 22 Feb1997. I originally started WKU in 1998 after 3 years I decided to go active duty in the Navy. I was in the intelligence community (CTO). After 4 years in the Navy I was still a soldier, not a sailor. I decided the come back to the Army on 28 Sep 2007.

FUTURE GOALS: I will get my degree and commission in Aug 2009. After which I will continue in the National Guard and move to Nashville. Ultimately I hope to be a great father and husband.

NAME: Jenna Ratterman      

MAJOR: History

HIGH SCHOOL: J.M. Atherton High School

HOMETOWN: Louisville, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I came to WKU because I was offered a ROTC scholarship and among many choices, this battalion seemed like the best one.

ABOUT ME: I was born in Wisconsin and moved around a lot. In high school I ran cross-country and track all four years. I was also in National Honor Society, Student Council, a Senior Class Officer, and earned an International Baccalaureate Certificate.

FUTURE GOALS: I plan on graduating with my degree in History and making
a career out of the Army. Right now I am interested in branching as a Military Intelligence officer.

NAME:  Thomas A. Malazarte

MAJOR:  Business Management

HIGH SCHOOL:  Warren Central High School/ Allen County- Scottsville

HOMETOWN:  Bowling Green, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE:  I have lived in Bowling Green since 1990 and have seen the transformation of WKU from a little, from a mediocre looking college to one of the most attractive college in the country.  I have also met the ROTC cadre before deciding to attend the school and was very impressed of their professionalism, vast knowledge and experience.  I knew then that WKU ROTC will be of high standards and value and will be guided to the right path in becoming an officer.  This is my second year here and has been very impressed with the program, the students and the Cadre.

ABOUT ME:  I joined the Army and was in the Active Duty status for 7 ½ years.  I enjoyed the experience and lessons I have learned in the military and recommend it to anyone that is in the military to experience.  I got out to attend college full time but missed the camaraderie and military discipline.  So I decided to join the Kentucky National Guard.  I attended WKU for one year and the Bowling Green unit was activated to deploy with 1/149TH Infantry Battalion.  I was there as a Staff Sergeant and was privileged to end up with a great platoon doing patrols, entry control points, and quick reaction force missions. A year and a half later we finally came back from a successful mission.  While I was in Iraq, I’ve met some very good officers and made a decision to join the WKU ROTC, so here I am.  I am married to my beautiful wife, Stephanie Malazarte and will have a son, Hunter Jay Malazarte, anytime from now to September 9, 2008.

FUTURE GOALS:  My future goal is to graduate with a degree I can later use in my career and to a graduate school.  I would want to become an officer and finish out my remaining years in active duty.  I enjoy being a leader and with this program enhance my skills to make a difference and be a great example to my peers and subordinates.  I am proud to have seen such great Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers to learn from.

NAME: Richard Skinner

MAJOR: History/Spanish

HIGH SCHOOL: John Hardin High School

HOMETOWN: Radcliff, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: I chose WKU because it’s conveniently close to where I live (hour and a half away) and the campus size makes it into a small community.  Since I was eligible for an Army ROTC scholarship and eventually contracted, that finalized my decision to attend WKU.  Plus, I’ve fallen in love with Big Red.  Big Red is what defines what WKU is to me.  Big Red changed my life. He gave me school spirit.   

ABOUT ME: I’m twenty one years old.  I’m addicted to TV shows such as Lost, 24, Prison Break, Chuck, and among other shows.  I really don’t have a preference to music expect that I dislike rap music.  I like to run, play racquet ball, bowl, lift weights, and read books concerning Catholicism.  As a newly baptized Catholic, I’ve grown in appreciation of the rich history of Christianity and what it has to offer. 

FUTURE GOALS: Graduate and go active duty status either in Infantry, Armor, Military Intelligence, or possibly Chaplaincy.  If I like the Army life, I might make it a career. Beyond that, I’m not exactly sure.  Right now, my short term goal for this year is to grow and develop as a leader gaining more confidence in my ability to lead. 

NAME: Rob Wright

MAJOR: Sociology/Criminology

HIGH SCHOOL: Greenwood

HOMETOWN: Woodburn Ky

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: It used to be affordable, it has an amazing campus, and it’s close to home.

ABOUT ME:  I think pretty much everything in life comes down to how bad you want it. I enjoy cleaning out the lint trap. I enjoy a robust game of softball every now and then. I like remakes of old hymns. I hate when you get a hair in your mouth, and when you step in water when wearing socks. I like hunting, but I fall asleep a lot when I’m out there. Everyone complains about slow drivers, but I have found a breed much worse..."The Slow Turner" I've had the same cell phone number since I was 16. I’ve been to Iraq, but hey, so have the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The University of Georgia football is the best on earth. Tennis is boring. Tailgating is one of my favorite pastimes. I like cold supreme pizza. I have a love affair with peanut butter.

FUTURE GOALS: Scout officer or Aviation, backpack South Africa, complete a triathlon, wear four aces, and learn to play the piano

NAME: Dwight C. Bushong

MAJOR: Sociology

HIGH SCHOOL: Barren County High

HOMETOWN: Glasgow

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: Cheerleader and close to home.

ABOUT ME: I am a first year senior and a cheerleader at WKU I just
recently finish BCT and AIT as a MP and than contracted on return to
become a officer. I lesson to all types of music and watch manly
action movies, Family guy and the Simpson’s are my favorite T.V. show,
weight training and Mixed Marshal Arts are some hobbies of mine.

FUTURE GOALS: My goal in life is to get my commission and be in the
army for a little wile than I want to move to L.A. and get on the
SWAT team or work for a federal agency with a SRT or CRT.

NAME:  Heather Downs

MAJOR:  Sociology

MINOR:  Criminology

HIGH SCHOOL:  Parkway High School, Bossier City, Louisiana

HOMETOWN: Plattsburg, NY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE:  I chose WKU initially because it was close to Fort Knox where I was stationed in 2005.  I also met with the ROTC Cadre from WKU and UofL and really like the Cadre here better.  The program and leadership had a great reputation and really seemed like something I wanted to belong to.  The campus is beautiful and not too big.  The classes are of really good size and it allows with plenty of one on one time with the professors.  All of the professors have been extremely friendly and wonderfully convenient for help outside of the classroom.

ABOUT ME:  I am an Air Force brat gone Army.  I enlisted in 1997 and served until 2005 when I got out of the Army to come to WKU.  While enlisted I was stationed at Fort Campbell, Germany and Fort Knox.  I love music, movies, being outside, riding motorcycles, and just being around friends.

FUTURE GOALS:  My career goal is to branch aviation and become a MEDEVAC pilot.  I want a job where I know I am really helping people.  Upon retirement I hope I can get a job as a civilian pilot flying for the border patrol or other law enforcement agency.

NAME: Chelsea Collins        

MAJOR: Recreation

HIGH SCHOOL: Paul Laurence Dunbar High School

HOMETOWN: Lexington, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: WKU is a beautiful campus and just far enough away from home.

ABOUT ME: I am a transfer student from EKU. I love the outdoors, hanging out with friends and napping. I love to laugh and have fun!!!!

FUTURE GOALS: Graduate, Commission, and HAVE FUN!!!!

NAME: Aaron Arflack

MAJOR: History

HIGH SCHOOL: Springfield High School

HOMETOWN: Owensboro

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: The reason I came to Western Kentucky University is to help better myself academically. By continuing my education I can also better myself in future jobs, mentoring, and being really smart.

ABOUT ME: I have been going to WKU since 2006. I served 5 years on active duty with one deployment to Iraq. 

FUTURE GOALS: Graduate on time.

NAME: Joel Rivera

MAJOR: Business Management

HIGH SCHOOL: Fort Knox High School

HOMETOWN: Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE:  I found WKU’s campus to be the friendliest by far out of all that I visited my senior year in high school. The campus also has everything you need closely together in comparison to other colleges that are spread out through the city in which they are located. My teachers and friends spoke very highly of WKU and it was also close to my dad’s duty station in Fort Knox, so it seemed far away enough from home, but close enough to go back when I felt home sick.

ABOUT ME: Although I am a military brat, my heart is in Puerto Rico where all of my immediate family lives. My interests include motorcycles (Yamaha R1), music (anything from Latin to R&B), clothes & shoes, lifting weights, and car audio. I enjoy hanging out with my closest friends and simply having a good time.

FUTURE GOALS: I look forward to commissioning in 2009 as either an Infantry or Military Intelligence officer and serve active duty. During my time in the ARMY I am looking to earn my master’s degree and eventually work for a Fortune 500 company. I would like to purchase a house in Latin America and travel the world through my company and with my family. Learning a third language is one of my ultimate goals, which I look to accomplish during my time in the ARMY.

NAME: Kyle Michael Seaton

MAJOR: Exercise Science

HIGH SCHOOL: Ohio County High School

HOMETOWN: Fordsville, KY

WHY I CHOSE WKU FOR COLLEGE: WKU offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Plus, as a Hilltopper, I am able to remain close to my family support group.
 
ABOUT ME: I love weightlifting, wrestling, MMA and almost any organized sport. I enjoy every aspect of physical activity from developing a fitness program, planning nutrition, executing a work out and most importantly, the positive physiological and psychological results from the process as a whole. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. In my spare time, I like to watch movies and listen to music.

FUTURE GOALS: At present, I am focusing on my military career and undergraduate studies. In the near future, I plan to apply for certification as a personal fitness trainer. Long term, I hope to continue my education through graduate school to become a physical therapist. My ultimate goal is to own and operate a fitness facility.