Friday, May 09, 2014

Navy Reserve Officer Candidate Earns NC State University 2014 Class Valedictorian




By North Carolina State University NROTC

RALEIGH, N.C. (NNS) -- An Officer Candidate with the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit at North Carolina State University was named Valedictorian of his class at the spring commencement, May 9.

Officer Candidate Michael Naclerio who was also commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy graduated Summa Cum Laude with Baccalaureate Degrees in both Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Naclerio earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.00, in an undergraduate program ranked the 17th best chemical engineering department in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report, 2013 Overall Rankings.

In addition to his perfect GPA, Naclerio accomplished another rare academic achievement. The North Caroline State Chapter of the Scientific Research Society, Sigma Xi, recognized his work for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and outstanding contribution to science. He will soon be published in The Journal of Rheology, for his research involving the delivery of pharmaceutical drugs via nanodiamonds.

"We are very proud of him," said Capt. Doug Wright, commanding officer of the North Carolina Piedmont Region consortium that includes Duke University, University of North Carolina as well as North Carolina State. "Officer Candidate Naclerio has been an example to all."

Naclerio enlisted in the Navy in 2009 as a Machinist's Mate and had an interest in the Nuclear Power Program. He was selected as a Staff Instructor for the Navy Nuclear Prototype School after graduating in the top of his class from "A" School, Power School, and Prototype School. Next, he was chosen for the Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21) program and reported to North Caroline State in May 2011.

"I had a great experience at North Caroline State and I am excited to join the Fleet and to serve in the Submarine Force," said Naclerio. After graduation, Naclerio has orders to return to the Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, South Carolina, where he will begin training as a Submarine Warfare Officer.

The NROTC program, overseen by Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and Navy core values in order to commission college graduates as Naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the Naval service and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.

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