Stephen F. Austin State University

Jon McCloud of Allen, a member of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at Stephen F. Austin State University, was one of 272 seniors in the nation to receive the George C. Marshall Award.

McCloud recently returned from a week-long award seminar in Lexington, Va., which he described as "a great experience."

"It was fun to see my peers in action, and I heard some really good speakers," he said.

Every university with a ROTC is allowed to select one student for the George C. Marshall Award, according to Lt. Col. Jeff Pike, professor and chairman of the SFA military science department. He said he chose McCloud because "he's a solid performer and a natural leader."

"I met Jon when he was a freshman, and I immediately recognized his potential," Pike said. "It probably has a lot to do with the way his parents raised him. His peers look at him and say, 'I wonder what Jon would think about this?'"

McCloud was offered a scholarship to contract with the ROTC, which means he was eligible his freshman year for full payment of his tuition and fees and a residence hall scholarship, and he was identified as someone who could immediately begin working toward becoming an officer in the United States Army.

McCloud declined, because he did not want to fall short of their expectations.

"We knew he would measure up, but he said he wasn't ready," Pike said. Eventually, McCloud agreed to contract with the ROTC, and Pike said his accomplishments speak for themselves.

McCloud is a quiet professional leader, Pike said, adding that McCloud has superb verbal communication skills.

"He's accomplished a lot in the ROTC, but he's also remained involved in a number of extracurricular activities outside ROTC," he said. "He supports charitable organizations, he's involved in community service, and he's well-rounded. That is the true character of a leader -- someone who can balance competing demands and be successful in more than one area."

McCloud said he decided to become involved with the ROTC because he knew it would keep him out of trouble while he attended college.

"It's also a great way to stay in shape, it occupies my time and keeps me productive," he said. "There are a lot of benefits, especially the leadership skills we received. It has definitely been worthwhile."

McCloud said it was an honor to have been selected for the George C. Marshall Award.

The line-up of highly decorated speakers at the seminar addressed a wide array of topics, including "Peacekeeping and the U.S. Military," "Homeland Security," "Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism," and "Media and the Battlefield."

Speakers also addressed issues related to Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, Israel, Russia, China, Japan and the Koreas, and Latin America. "There were some great round-table, small-group discussions," McCloud said. "Some of the things I learned were really eye-opening."

McCloud also has been selected by a national board as being part of the top 10 percent of the nation's lieutenants for this fiscal year. He is considered a Distinguished Military Graduate, since he is also in the top 20 percent in the nation, Pike said.

McCloud will graduate in August, and Pike said McCloud will serve afterward as a "gold bar recruiter." As a second lieutenant, McCloud wears a gold bar to denote his rank.

"He's a perfect fit for that kind of thing," Pike said. "He's quality -- and he'll attract quality to our program."

For information about the ROTC at SFA, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/rotc/.