The Penn State Air Force ROTC is the recipient of the 2000/2001 “High Flight” award for the Air Force ROTC Northeast Region, announced John Cahir, Penn State’s vice provost and dean for undergraduate education. This award gives Penn State’s unit the distinction of being the best detachment among the 37 Air Force ROTC units in the northeast area. 

         This highly coveted award is given to the unit that displays the best overall academic record, retention of cadets, cadet activities, university relations, community service and innovation. Colonel Don Schafer, the Northeast Area Region commander and chair of the selection board noted, “This was an easy selection as the staff and cadets are top-notch and they had a tremendous year.”

         In addition, Penn State’s unit received the only “Outstanding” rating given this year by the Air Education and Training Command’s Inspector General to any of the 144 Air Force ROTC detachments nationwide.

         Following the inspection, the unit continued to excel with a strong academic record, over 2000 hours of service to the community, more than a million dollars in scholarship funding, and dozens of “firsts” within ROTC and the community. 

          In fall 2000, the unit sponsored “Tops In Blue,” the Air Force’s premiere music ensemble, and in spring 2001, they hosted a child through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  Colonel Steven Paladini, the Penn State Air Force ROTC detachment commander, attributes much of the unit’s success to its cadets. “We clearly have some of the most motivated, innovative cadets in the nation,” he said. “Commanders from around the world have expressed gratitude for the exceptionally high quality of Air Force second lieutenants commissioned though the Penn State program.” 

          The Penn State Air Force ROTC will go on to compete for the “Right of Line” award given annually to the number one unit in the nation.  For more information about the Air Force ROTC program at Penn State visit their web site at  http://www.airforce.psu.edu/home.html.