Christopher Blake Williamson of Florence to Become Army Second Lieutenant at Clemson University Commissioning Ceremony

2014 Apr 30

Christopher Blake Williamson of Florence will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Clemson University's Tillman Hall Auditorium.

Williamson is a Marketing major at Clemson.

The ceremony, held by Clemson University's Army and Air Force ROTC units, will feature guest speaker Col. (Ret.) Rick Schwartz, a 1984 graduate of Lynchburg College, Virginia, who received a Master of Science from Clemson University in 1995. A former Army ROTC instructor, he retired last year after 29 years in the Army.

Following the commissioning ceremony, the new lieutenants will participate in a Silver Dollar Salute ceremony at Military Heritage Plaza. The ceremony marks the first salute received by the new officer from an enlisted member. As a sign of mutual respect, the officer presents the enlisted member with a silver dollar.

Clemson University
Ranked No. 21 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success. Clemson is an inclusive, student-centered community characterized by high academic standards, a culture of collaboration, school spirit, and a competitive drive to excel.