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Computer Engineering Graduate Commissioned Through Cal Poly Army ROTC

Avery White, a computer engineering graduate, takes the Oath of Commissioned Officers during Cal Poly Army ROTC’s spring commissioning ceremony June 13 at the Officers’ Club at Camp San Luis Obispo.

Avery White, who earned near-straight-A grades while completing ROTC, plans to serve in the California National Guard and pursue software engineering 

Avery White arrived at Cal Poly from Eagle River, Alaska, ready for one of the university’s most demanding majors. By the time he graduated with a degree in computer engineering, he had also completed Army ROTC, earned Dean’s List recognition 10 times and prepared for a new role as an officer.

White was one of four cadets commissioned as second lieutenants during Cal Poly Army ROTC’s spring commissioning ceremony, held June 13 at the Officers’ Club at Camp San Luis Obispo.

“This is a very big day for cadets,” Lt. Col. Mark Swiney, who heads the Military Science Department for the Army ROTC Mustang Battalion, told an audience of family members and supporters. “This is the last time I get to call them cadets. Every decision that these cadets have made up to this point has brought them to this moment.” 

A proud family member pins an officer's insignia onto the shoulder of a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant named White in Army dress uniform during a Cal Poly ROTC commissioning ceremony.
Avery White receives his second lieutenant rank insignia during Cal Poly Army ROTC’s spring commissioning ceremony on June 13 at the Officers’ Club at Camp San Luis Obispo.

White entered the ROTC program as a sophomore and earned a three-year scholarship. During his fourth year, he served as S4, the battalion logistics and supply officer, managing supplies during daily operations and large joint field training events.

That responsibility gave White a practical leadership role while he balanced the demands of computer engineering, a major known for its rigorous coursework in software, hardware and systems design.

During the commissioning ceremony, White and the other cadets took the Oath of Commissioned Officers, received rank insignia from family members and exchanged their first salute as officers, a longstanding military tradition.

Swiney described the oath as one of the most important the new officers would take. 

A senior Army officer in dress uniform leads the Oath of Commissioned Officers ceremony at Cal Poly's ROTC commissioning event, with two newly commissioned officers standing at attention before a projected slide of the oath.
Lt. Col. Mark Swiney administers the Oath of Commissioned Officers to Avery White, center, and Isabel Hermann during Cal Poly Army ROTC’s spring commissioning ceremony June 13 at the Officers’ Club at Camp San Luis Obispo.

“They’re taking an oath to themselves, to the military, to others, to their friends that they will support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” he said.

White plans to enter the California National Guard as a logistics officer while pursuing a career in software engineering.

He joins a long line of Cal Poly Army ROTC graduates. Since the university’s military science and leadership program was founded in 1953, 1,442 second lieutenants have progressed through the program. 

A newly commissioned Army officer named White, adorned with a large floral lei, poses with a group of eight smiling family members in front of military branch insignia plaques at the ROTC commissioning ceremony.
Avery White, center, celebrates with friends and family after Cal Poly Army ROTC’s spring commissioning ceremony June 13 at the Officers’ Club at Camp San Luis Obispo.
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