Chase Strickland was ranked as the top ROTC cadet in the nation during his senior year at UNG.
"It was the product of four years of hard work, but it was not an achievement that I set out to accomplish. My goals at UNG were to succeed academically and seek leadership development through the Corps of Cadets," Strickland said. "I feel that I accomplished those goals, so being recognized as the No. 1 cadet in the nation was the icing on the cake."
He graduated in May 2015 with a bachelor's degree in international relations with a Middle East concentration.
Strickland graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA and as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He also participated in corps leadership and on the Ranger Challenge team, which won the Bold Leader Challenge at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in fall 2014 and placed second among ROTC teams at the prestigious Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held in April 2015 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
While attending UNG, he also served in the Georgia Army National Guard.
During his senior year, he had the chance to study abroad in Rome, Italy, at the NATOC Defense War College.
He branched military intelligence and elected to branch detail in infantry.
"I am thankful for the guidance I have received from family and friends, my academic adviser, and professors," Strickland said. "Also, I am thankful for the guidance and professional development that I have received from other military professionals in the Georgia Army National Guard and at UNG."
