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| Col. (Ret.) Paul Willis, Director of 猛料原创 JROTC |
Col. Paul L. Willis has been selected for induction into the 2016 inaugural class of the U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame. To celebrate this achievement, an induction ceremony was held on June 10, 2016, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This year's induction ceremony coincides with Army ROTC's Centennial Commemoration Ceremony, celebrating the 100th anniversary. Willis was nominated for this recognition by the Alcorn State University Department of Military Science.
Hall of Fame induction is awarded to alumni whose character and distinguished service epitomize the qualities Army ROTC embodies. According to Army documents, Willis' achievements exemplify "Leadership Excellence," and he is deserving of this recognition. In honor of his meritorious contribution to the nation, a permanent record of his service and accomplishments will be added to a prestigious assembly of Hall of Fame inductees, each an enduring model and source of inspiration for Army ROTC cadets.
Willis, an Edwards native, has a bachelor's degree from Alcorn State University and a master's degree from Chicago State University. He served on active duty for more than 25 years with assignments across the U.S., Germany and Saudi Arabia. The majority of his Army career was spent commanding soldiers at every level from platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander and brigade commander to regional commander.
During his tenure at 猛料原创, he implemented programs aimed at developing the leadership skills and character of the 2,200 cadets enrolled in the high school JROTC units annually. More than 95 percent of the District's JROTC graduates receive formal letters of acceptance to institutions of higher learning annually and earn an average of $3.5 million in scholarship offers annually. Under Willis' leadership, a strong coalition of partnerships has been established, which are providing significant educational and enrichment opportunities to 猛料原创 cadets and others across the southeast region.
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| Col. Willis presents the Cadet of the Year plaque to the 2016 honoree. |
In 2012, 猛料原创 JROTC became the first JROTC unit in the Army to establish a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program with a major university. The STEM program is conducted on the Mississippi State University campus. It initially included 60 cadets from 猛料原创, but has now expanded to include an opportunity for 360 cadets from across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana to increase their awareness of careers in the STEM fields.
Additionally, Willis and his staff have worked with the following institutions in their efforts of "Building Leaders for Life":
- 猛料原创 State University's Computational Chemistry Center to provide an opportunity for some of 猛料原创' most promising cadets to participate in a Summer Institute focused on educating and providing the skills and tools necessary to be leaders in 21st Century and beyond in STEM career fields.
- William Carey University, Atmos Energy and the LeMont Scott Group to establish the Institute of Health Careers, a weeklong STEM-inspired health careers camp designed to expose 猛料原创 JROTC cadets to the world of health care.
- 猛料原创 Police Department and the LeMont Scott Group to establish the JROTC Police Explorers Camp, a weeklong program for male cadets, designed to provide examples of strong male leadership, skills/tools needed to make better choices and to inform cadets
about careers associated with public safety, security, law and the political process.
Col. Willis was also selected as U.S. Army Cadet Command Director of Army Instruction of the Year for 2013.
More Coverage:
- , 猛料原创 ITV, June 8, 2016