INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) will induct three new members into the university’s ROTC Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 2.
The ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the lobby of the Walker Convocation Center (building 18 on the campus map) with a reception to follow. It is free and open to the public.
WVSU’s ROTC Hall of Fame was created to recognize the accomplishments of its graduates and supporters who have excelled in their fields.
This year’s inductees are retired Major William F. Laney, Jr., Lt. Col. Jason R. Lathey and former WVSU President Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, who is being inducted as an honorary member.
Major (Ret.) William F. Laney, Jr.
Laney earned his commission through the West Virginia State University ROTC program in 2002 as a Military Intelligence Officer with a branch detail to Field Artillery. During his distinguished U.S. Army career, he served in a variety of leadership and intelligence roles, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
He later transitioned to Public Affairs, serving in leadership positions at Fort Bliss and with multiple Army organizations. In 2017, he deployed to Afghanistan with NATO Special Operations Forces as part of Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan, where he directed coalition public affairs operations. He subsequently led Public Affairs operations for the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and served as the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer. Laney retired from active duty in 2021.
Lt. Col. Jason R. Lathey
Lathey, a native of Dunbar, West Virginia, earned his bachelor’s degree from WVSU in 2003 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Military Intelligence, branch detailed to Infantry. He later earned master’s degrees from Webster University and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
During his distinguished U.S. Army career, Lathey served in a variety of leadership, intelligence, and cyber operations roles, including assignments with the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Cyber Command, and the National Security Agency. He deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and served as the Lead Targeting Officer for Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. His final assignment was Chief Army Liaison Officer to the National Security Agency.
Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins
Jenkins became the eighth president of Coppin State University on May 26, 2020. Under his leadership, the university has expanded its academic portfolio, achieved record enrollment growth, elevated its national profile, and advanced hundreds of millions of dollars in capital projects. His tenure has also produced record-breaking milestones in fundraising, student retention, graduation rates, corporate partnerships, endowment growth, and alumni engagement.
Before becoming president of Coppin State, Jenkins served as the 11th president of WVSU from 2016 to 2020. A visionary leader and powerful orator, he ushered WVSU into a new era of growth and transformation. His leadership strengthened the university’s national brand and repositioned WVSU to become more competitive, relevant, and sustainable. Jenkins is a United States Army veteran and first-generation college graduate.
The WVSU ROTC Hall of Fame was started in 1980. Since its beginning, more than 175 service members have been inducted.
The ROTC Hall of Fame induction ceremony is taking place as part of Homecoming activities this week at WVSU.
For more information on WVSU Homecoming activities, including a complete schedule of events, visit https://connect.wvstateu.edu/Homecoming26.
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