IU Army ROTC cadets file into Presidents Hall before the ceremony honoring them begins. The Indiana University Army ROTC was awarded the 2016 General Douglas MacArthur Award for the best ROTC program in the 7th Brigade.Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie, right, speaks with IU Trustee Philip N. Eskew Jr. before the ceremony begins. Eskew was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the Indiana National Guard in 2016.Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie delivers his opening remarks during the 2016 General Douglas MacArthur Award presentation ceremony.IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President of Indiana University Lauren Robel delivers her remarks during the ceremony. This is the first time IU has received the award, presented by the U.S. Army Cadet Command and the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation. The award recognizes the ideals of “duty, honor and country” as advocated by MacArthur.Col. Lance Oskey, right, the 7th Brigade Commander, presents the 2016 Douglas MacArthur Award to IU ROTC Director Lt. Col. Todd Burkhardt. One winner was chosen from each of the eight ROTC regions, which include 275 programs nationwide. IU is one of 38 colleges and universities in its region, which covers Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.Col. Lance Oskey, right, the 7th Brigade Commander, and Command Sgt. Major Charles W. Gregory attach a 2016 General Douglas MacArthur Award banner to the IU ROTC flag during the ceremony. The award is based on achievement of the school’s commissioning mission, cadet GPAs and standing on the command’s National Order of Merit List, cadets’ retention rates, Ranger Challenge competitions, Army training and physicality, as well as the 7th Brigade commander’s assessment and evaluation of the overall program. Col. Lance Oskey, right, the 7th Brigade Commander, and Command Sgt. Major Charles W. Gregory stand at attention after attaching the 2016 General Douglas MacArthur Award banner to the IU ROTC flag during the ceremony. IU ROTC Director Lt. Col. Todd Burkhardt gives his remarks during the ceremony, which includes expressing pride for IU's Army ROTC.IU President Michael A. McRobbie presents a letter from U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., to IU Army ROTC Director Lt. Col. Todd Burkhardt, left, during the ceremony.Col. Lance Oskey, the 7th Brigade Commander, presents an excellence award to IU President Michael A. McRobbie in recognition of his support for the IU Army ROTC program and his efforts to strengthen and expand Indiana University’s partnership with the United States Army.IU President Michael A. McRobbie speaks with Command Sgt. Major Charles W. Gregory, left, and Col. Lance Oskey, the 7th Brigade Commander, right, following the ceremony to present IU’s Army ROTC with the 2016 General Douglas MacArthur Award.An IU Jacobs School of Music string quartet performs in Presidents Hall following the ceremony to present IU’s Army ROTC with the 2016 General Douglas MacArthur Award.
