Georgia Southern University ROTC Battalion Commander and U.S. Army Officer George Fredrick was promoted to colonel Friday as part of a ceremony held in Statesboro.
     Col. Fredrick's official promotion ceremony was held just one day after Georgia Southern's ROTC program received one of eight prestigious U.S. Army MacArthur Awards, recognizing the nation's top ROTC programs. It was the second year in a row that Georgia Southern and the Eagle Battalion was honored as one of the top programs in the country.
      Prior to joining Georgia Southern, Fredrick held numerous staff and command positions, most recently serving as Joint Planning Group (JPG) Chief at Joint Task Force Civil Support, Ft. Monroe, Va.
      "Colonel Fredrick epitomizes what it means to be a leader. He commands respect and he has not only built Georgia Southern's ROTC program into one of the best in the country, but is developing future generations of U.S. Army officers," said Dr. Brooks Keel, president of Georgia Southern. "I can think of no one that could serve as a role model for leadership than Col. Fredrick and we couldn't be more proud of his promotion."
      Presiding over the ceremony was Brigadier General Leslie Smith, commander, U.S. Army 20th Support Command which supports chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Smith, who is a distinguished military graduate of Georgia Southern, returned to Statesboro to be a part of the ceremony.
      "It is an honor and privilege to be a part of today's ceremony," Smith said. "Since taking over command of the ROTC program, Col. Fredrick has made incredible strides and has built it from 60 to nearly 300 cadets and is now recognized among the nation's best."
      Fredrick, a native of Fairfax, S.C., is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3d OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3d OLe), Army Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Award, and the Korean Service Medal.
      Georgia Southern University ROTC is also the host institution for the ROTC programs at Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University and East Georgia College.