On Sept. 5, 2025, Northern Illinois University Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet Caitlin Field achieved a remarkable milestone when she was commissioned as a second lieutenant and became the 700th officer to graduate from the NIU Army ROTC program. Field,
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When Lt. Col. Harold Larsen walks across the NIU campus, he carries more than just the weight of textbooks and lesson plans — he carries nearly two decades of service, leadership and unwavering commitment to shaping future leaders. Originally from Columbus, Nebraska,
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By the time most students returned from summer break with stories of beach trips or internships, Cadet Jonah Oh had already spent 35 intense days training at Fort Knox and several more working alongside active-duty nurses in one of the Army’s busiest
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Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Jaime Hernandez was recently recognized with the 2025 Vice President’s Student Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to student life and leadership during his four years at Northern Illinois University. The award honors students who
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When NIU Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Hailey Quiroz arrived in Jericho, Vermont, for the Basic Military Mountaineering Course (BMMC), she knew she was in for a challenge—but nothing could have prepared her for the intensity that followed. “BMMC was
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Four cadets from NIU Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program proved they’ve got what it takes during the Norwegian Foot March held on the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cadets Kamran Stringer, Stephen Bough, Ethan Patterson and Hailey Quiroz successfully
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Angel Latham earned her wings – literally. Angel Latham The NIU College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS) student and NIU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadet successfully completed the U.S. Army Air Assault School training in Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, this summer.
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Below is a guest post from U.S. Army Reserve Col. (retired) Beth Liechti Johnson. Johnson is an NIU ROTC alumna, Class of ’81. She chaired the recent NIU ROTC 50th Anniversary event “Honor & Connect–1968 to 2018.” She wrote this account of
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Soar into Homecoming with a 50th anniversary celebration of NIU ROTC
Read moreRecently, members of the Northern Illinois University ROTC program conducted a partnership day with members of Auburn High School from Rockford, Illinois. Cadre and Cadets from AHS attended a welcoming brief, NIU ROTC program introduction, facility walk-around, campus site orientation and lunch with
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