On Monday, Oct. 26, U.S. Army Cadet Command announced that three students from The University of Scranton had been selected as Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2011-2012 School Year. Seniors Emily Rainey, Evan Dimakas and Sidney Jaques were all recognized, as well as two other seniors from the Royal Warrior Battalion. Each year less that 20 percent of nearly 5,400 Cadets who commission are awarded this honor by U.S. Army Cadet Command.

In order for a student to be considered for selection as a Distinguished Military Graduate they must meet the following criteria:

• Have been named a Distinguished Military Student by their respective Professor of Military Science.
• Be in good academic standing with their respective College or University, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Successfully completed the Leaders Develop and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Washington.
• Demonstrated outstanding potential to serve as a commissioned officer.
• Rank among the top 20% of all Cadets on the National Order of Merit List.

Cadet Rainey is a philosophy major who is currently studying abroad in Jordan this semester. Cadet Rainey is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Airborne School, has participated in Cadet Command’s Cadet Troop Leader Training program, as well as completed the Cadet Field Training program at the Unites States Military Academy between her sophomore and junior years.   

Cadet Jaques is a communication major who is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Airborne School and currently serves as a Cadet Tactical Officer responsible for training the Battalion’s Military Science Level II Cadets. Cadet Jaques is also captain of the University of Scranton’s women’s basketball team.

Cadet Dimakas is a criminal justice major who currently serves as the Cadet Battalion Operations Officer. Cadet Dimakas graduated the Leaders Develop and Assessment Course with an overall rating of “excellent” this past summer. He also serves as the captain of the Battalion’s Ranger Challenge Team.

Upon graduation and commissioning this May both Cadets Rainey and Jaques will serve on active duty, while Cadet Dimakas will serve in the New York Army National Guard.