The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and Virginia Tech ROTC units held a joint graduation and commissioning ceremony on Friday, May 13, to recognize 294 graduating seniors, 127 of which commissioned into the four armed services.

Among them was the late 2nd Lt. Joseph L. DeWitt, who died unexpectedly on April 15.

Col. Kevin Milton, the Army ROTC Professor of Military Science and DeWitt’s senior instructor, said DeWitt was “one of the better cadets in the classroom, always asking insightful questions, and he had a keen sense of humor that he could make us laugh about whatever the topic was that day.”

During DeWitt’s memorial service on April 22, his close friends reflected on his faith, optimism, strength, and kindheartedness.

The corps recognized his achievements in several ceremonies throughout the commencement, which included guest speaker Gen. Carlton D. Everhart, a corps alumnus who graduated in 1983.

On behalf of the U.S. Army, Col. Milton posthumously commissioned DeWitt as a second lieutenant, with a ceremony by the Pylons for his parents, Lisa and Brendon DeWitt, and sister Rachel DeWitt. During the Corps of Cadets Graduation and Joint Commissioning Ceremony in Burruss Hall, Gen. Carlton D. Everhart joined President Tim Sands and Maj. Gen. Randall Fullhart in awarding DeWitt’s minor in leadership from the Pamplin College of Business to the DeWitt family. 

Col. Kevin Milton, at left, posthumously commissions the late Joseph DeWitt as a second lieutenant with DeWitt’s family in attendance at the Pylons.
Col. Kevin Milton, at left, posthumously commissions the late Joseph DeWitt as a second lieutenant with DeWitt’s family in attendance at the Pylons. Family members are, from left, mother Lisa DeWitt, sister Rachel DeWitt, and father Brendon DeWitt.

The College of Engineering recognized DeWitt’s accomplishments by awarding a framed diploma to the DeWitt family. He earned a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering with minors in mathematics and leadership.

DeWitt also is survived by his fiancee, Katelin Petrusky. 

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