Cadet Kaelyn Burbey, a senior in the University of Vermont’s Honors College majoring in environmental engineering with a math minor, has received the ROTC Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award, given annually for achievement of scholastic excellence in military and academic subjects.

Burbey, one of only 13 cadets nationally to receive the award, ranks in the top 10 percent of the nation’s senior cadets. The award was presented at the UVM Army ROTC alumni reception on Sept. 24 at the Davis Center by Maj. Travis Myers, executive officer, and Master Sgt. Christopher Cunningham, senior military instructor, of the Green Mountain Battalion.

“Cadet Burbey is an exceptional cadet who embodies everything we look for in a future Army officer,” said Myers. “She earned this award by excelling both in her academics at the University of Vermont and at her military development through Army ROTC. Above all, Cadet Burbey has proven herself to be a moral and ethical leader with an impressive character. She is an exemplary representative of the University of Vermont’s Army ROTC program.”

Originally from San Marcos, California, Burbey has numerous other academic and military accomplishments at UVM. She received the June Veinott UVM Engineering Award and the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Leadership Award, is a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society and was selected for the Superior Cadet Award. 

This summer she completed an engineering internship at the MIT Lincoln Labs and graduated from the Cadet Leaders Course in Fort Knox Kentucky. She has also earned her German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and completed a cultural understanding and language proficiency program in Macedonia. In addition, she has twice been a member of the UVM ROTC Ranger Challenge Team, which competes in military skills competitions with other ROTC programs across the region.

“Cadet Kaelyn Burbey brings great credit upon herself, the United States Army Cadet Command and the University of Vermont for receiving this award,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Knoth, professor of military science for UVM Army ROTC. “She is the epitome of the student, athlete, leader, and has a great future ahead of her as an Army Officer.”

PUBLISHED

10-05-2016
University Communications