The U.S. Army Cadet Command has named Lt. Col. Lora A. Rimmer, Commander of the Army ROTC “Maverick Battalion” at University of Texas at Arlington, the nation’s Professor of Military Science of the Year. Rimmer was selected from among 275 professors at colleges and universities nationwide that offer Army ROTC. She will receive the award during a ceremony at U.S. Army Cadet Command Headquarters at Fort Knox, Ky., in November. “This award is both humbling and rewarding, and this has been one of the most fulfilling assignments in my career,” Rimmer said. “To be recognized for something that you truly love to do is an amazing honor.” As professor of Military Science, Rimmer is charged with recruiting, developing, mentoring and commissioning the next generation of Army and civilian leaders. During her 27-year military career, Rimmer has commanded up to battalion level and had staff positions through Corps staff. In 2011, she assumed command of UT Arlington’s ROTC unit – one of the oldest Army ROTC programs in Texas. Prior to taking command at UT Arlington, she served as the Network Operations Officer for the First Cavalry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Rimmer’s personal and unit decorations include the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; and the Army Achievement Medal. A native of Paola, Kan., Rimmer graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in business administration. She is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College. Ronald L. Elsenbaumer, UT Arlington provost and vice president for academic affairs, applauded efforts by Rimmer and her staff in helping students to succeed in any competitive environment.
“Lt. Col. Rimmer and her command staff have developed UT Arlington’s Army ROTC program into one of the best leadership courses in the country, and they have much to be proud of in the way that they have inspired youth by developing in our Junior Cadets self-discipline, self-confidence and pride,” Elsenbaumer said. “Lt. Col. Rimmer’s untiring and selfless efforts have had a tremendous impact on the Cadet Command’s ability to recruit, train and commission the future officer leadership of the Army.” In nominating Rimmer for the honor, Col. James Dodson, 5th Brigade Commander, acknowledged her efforts to increase the numbers of UT Arlington students majoring in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. “Her effort to recruit STEM majors is phenomenal,” Dodson wrote, noting that of 49 new cadets that enrolled in her program during the 2013-2014 school year, 46 percent are pursuing STEM majors. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units are located at 275 colleges and universities throughout the country. The program has trained and commissioned more than 500,000 men and women since its establishment in 1916. -Betty Dillard bdillard@bizpress.net