State senior Elizabeth Kolar has been named a distinguished military graduate for U.S. Army ROTC. A nursing major from Eureka, Kolar was also commissioned a 
second lieutenant at the South Dakota State University Army ROTC Commissioning and Pinning Ceremony. In addition to Kolar, Elizabeth Luczak, Mapleton, Minnesota; Mathew Martin, Burbank; and Joshua Nyquist, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; were also commissioned as second lieutenants.
Kolar was one of approximately 1,000 national honorees. Distinguished military graduate recipients are recognized by their military science professors for having demonstrated high scholarship, great moral character, excellent military aptitude and superior leadership ability during their time at ROTC.
“I am honored to have been selected as a distinguished military graduate,†Kolar said. “I have always looked up to others who have graduated as distinguished military graduates, and it is truly humbling to receive it myself.
“I have had such excellent experiences and opportunities at SDSU and with both the nursing and ROTC programs. It has always felt like home to me,†she continued.
Following her taking the national council licensure examination for registered nurses, Kolar will attend a Basic Officer Leaders Course. She will then work as a medical-surgical nurse at a to-be-assigned military medical center. She plans to attend the Army Nurse Critical Care Course and work in intensive care.
“We are proud of all of our College of Nursing graduates. Students who participate in ROTC are exceptional because of the training and leadership development opportunities afforded to them. We are proud of Liz’s national recognition and know she will excel as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps,†said Nancy Fahrenwald, dean of the College of Nursing.
