Harris-Stowe State University student Khalisha Savage will be promoted to Cadet Wing Commander (CW/CC), the highest rank in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) on January 14.
As Commander in the 207th Detachment of the Air Force ROTC Cadet Wing, Savage excelled in all aspects, which earned her promotion to CW/CC. As CW/CC, she will be responsible for the conduct of all cadet activities and the development of the 76 cadets in the wing, as well as communication between the Cadet Wing and the Commandant of Cadets. She will take command of the 207th AFROTC Detachment Cadet Wing, Saint Louis University, on January 14.
“I am excited to have direct input and guidance in developing and preparing future officers for Active Duty in the United States Air Force,” said Savage.
Currently, Savage is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Harris-Stowe State University and anticipates a May 2009 graduation. She earned HSSU Dean’s List honors for the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters. Before coming to HSSU, Savage attained an A.A.S. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC); an A.A.S. in Mental Health Services at Community College of the Air Force, Air University; and a B.S. in Business Administration from UMUC. To date, her Air Force enlisted service totals 12 years and 11 months.
“Harris-Stowe has supported me by offering me a flexible schedule, along with supportive professors, fellow students; and I can’t fail to mention my awesome Student Advisor Jason Traber!” said Savage.
“I truly have been welcomed with open arms by each and every student and professor since attending this university. I wear my uniform three times a week, and each time, the faculty and students thank me for my service and maintain a positive attitude toward my decision to join the Air Force. I believe I am the first HSSU student to be chosen as Wing Commander for Detachment 207. It is an honor and, in retrospect, an historical event.”
The official Change of Command Ceremony will take place on January 14 at 4:30 p.m. in Saint Louis University’s Tegler Hall’s Carlo Auditorium. After graduation, Savage will end her command as CW/CC and plans to become a Finance Officer in the United States Air Force.
UMSL scholarship applicants up 25 percent
Admissions officials at the University of Missouri-St. Louis have seen a 25 percent increase in freshmen applications for Fall 2009, citing the growing numbers could be traced to an increase in merit scholarship funding.
Greg McCalley, associate vice provost for student affairs, said the increase in the number of merit-based scholarships.
“At this point we have more than doubled the number of merit scholarships awarded to newly admitted freshmen compared to last year,” he said. “And it’s early in the admissions process, so there will be more awards to come.”
Last year, university leaders decided to change the way UMSL allocates its scholarship funds. In particular, the five different merit scholarships open to incoming freshmen were changed, increasing the awards for some and opening up the criteria for others.
“We will invest nearly $10 million in scholarships in the coming academic year,” said UMSL Chancellor Tom George. “For some families in the St. Louis region that money could mean the difference between their children getting a college education or not.” That’s especially true for high-achieving high school seniors who qualify for a Curator’s Scholarship. Awarded each year by the Curators of the University of Missouri System, the scholarship is open to a Missouri resident who ranks in the upper five percent of his or her high school class, scores a 28 or above on the ACT and enrolls full time. That scholarship carries a $3,500 award. However, UMSL officials will now match it to provide a student with a total of $7,000, a sum that will pay for nearly a year’s tuition at the university.
Need-based aid, grants, loans and scholarships funded by private organizations and donors are not included in the nearly $10 million figure. For more information on scholarships, call 314-516-7212 or visit http://www.umsl.edu/admission/