Four graduates from the Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology took the Oath of Office and were commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army during the OSU Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Commissioning Ceremony held on Friday, May 8, at St. John Catholic Student Center.

The ceremony marked the culmination of years of academic achievement, leadership training and military preparation as the graduates officially transitioned from cadets to commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.

The following CEAT graduates were commissioned:

• Yao Nayo, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  Aviation/Active Duty, Platoon Leader, 3rd PLT
• Dorian Gutierrez-Steele, Construction Engineering Technology
  Engineer/Active Duty, Platoon Leader, 2nd PLT
• Gabriel Caudillo, University Studies
  Engineer/National Guard, Platoon Tactical Officer
• Austin Lynch, Chemical Engineering
  Engineer/National Guard, Platoon Tactical Officer

“These graduates represent the very best of Oklahoma State University and CEAT and have demonstrated exceptional dedication, discipline and leadership throughout their time in college,” said Dr. Hanchen Huang, dean of CEAT. “We are incredibly proud to see them take this next step as they commit themselves to serving our country.”

While earning their degrees in CEAT, the students also completed the demanding requirements of OSU Army ROTC, balancing rigorous coursework with leadership development, physical training and service commitments.

“As both a cadet and an engineering student, balancing ROTC commitments with a demanding academic workload has taught me discipline, resilience and time management,” Nayo said. “My experiences in both areas have helped me grow as a leader and as a student, and I’m thankful for the mentors and instructors who supported me along the way.”

Family members, fellow cadets, faculty, staff and military leaders gathered to celebrate the graduates during the commissioning ceremony, where each cadet recited the Oath of Office and accepted the responsibility of leading soldiers in service to the nation.

One of the ceremony’s most meaningful traditions is the pinning of ranks, during which each newly commissioned officer selects an individual who played a significant role in their journey to place the gold second lieutenant rank insignia on their shoulders. Parents, siblings, mentors, military leaders and close friends were among those chosen for the honor, making the moment especially personal for each cadet and their families.

A longstanding military tradition, the Silver Dollar Salute, was also incorporated into the ceremony. During the salute, the newly commissioned officers presented a silver dollar to the first enlisted service member who saluted them as officers, symbolizing respect for the noncommissioned officers and enlisted soldiers whose mentorship and leadership play a vital role in the Army. Many cadets chose to honor family members, mentors or military leaders who influenced their journey to commissioning.

“I chose my little brother Kylen for my first salute and silver dollar presentation,” Gutierrez-Steele said. “He previously served as an enlisted soldier and has been someone I’ve always wanted to set a high standard for. We continuously push and compete with one another, which always brings excellence. He is now a cadet and student at OSU, pursuing the same major and path towards becoming an army officer. Being able to share this moment with him as my closest family member makes the moment especially meaningful to me.”

Lynch chose his cousin Josh Stafford for his first salute.

“Josh was a petty officer 2 in the Navy and was a big influence on my decision to join the military years ago,” Lynch said.

“I chose my brother, Sgt. Carlos Caudillo, for my first salute and silver dollar presentation,” Caudillo said. “Before and during my time in ROTC, he was someone I consistently looked up to. Watching the way he served in the Marine Corps and later continued serving as a police officer in Oklahoma showed me what discipline, leadership and commitment to others looked like. He set a standard for me long before I became an officer, and being able to share this moment with him made it especially meaningful.”

As newly commissioned officers, the graduates will now begin their military careers serving in branches across the U.S. Army while carrying forward the leadership values developed at OSU.

“My plan after graduation is to work in Tulsa, Oklahoma, full time as a process engineer and continue my military service part time,” Lynch said. “I could give you a million reasons why I ended up joining, but ultimately, I was searching for more structure, discipline, and opportunities in my life. The Army has offered me those things. Studying engineering while serving and training in ROTC was particularly difficult, especially with time management. Often, having a big exam or project due in class is of little consequence to the Army.

"They give me an opportunity to do what I can, but at the end of the day, the mission comes first. The push and pull between school and the Army led to many late nights and even more early mornings. It was a challenge, but it has made me a stronger person.”

Commissioning Ceremony OSU Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps