Florida Tech ROTC Student Receives Highest National Award

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Cadet Lacey Sovern, of Florida Institute of Technology Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), received the George C. Marshall Award, a national award and the highest award for an ROTC cadet. It was presented to her recently during the George C. Marshall ROTC Award Seminar at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.

The award is named after Army Gen. George C. Marshall who served as the Army Chief of Staff in World War II, and as secretary of state and secretary of defense in the post-war era. The award is given annually to the most outstanding senior Army ROTC cadets in military science studies and leadership values in each battalion at host universities or colleges.

During the seminar, cadets participate in focus groups, round table discussions and lectures on national security and the Army’s role in the international arena. High-ranking leaders of the U.S. Army, scholars and experts also speak to cadets on the area of national defense.

Originally from Cape Coral, Fla., Sovern graduated from Ida S. Baker High School in 2009. She will graduate from Florida Tech with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management this spring. In November, she will start the Army’s Basic Leadership Course in aviation.