NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
1/17/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - Lieutenants Eric Dixon of Anacoco and Shaun Slawson were sworn in as leaders of the American Armed Forces during commencement exercises at Northwestern State University in December. Lt. Col. Leon Pennington, NSU professor of military science, presided at the swearing in.
Dixon and Slawson both began their college careers at NSU after graduating from high school in 2001. In 2004, they were called to active duty and served in Iraq with Troop A 108th Cavalry from Natchitoches. After two years of active duty service, the lieutenants returned to NSU where they enrolled in the ROTC program under the Simultaneous Membership Program, which allowed them to continue drilling with their National Guard units while performing leadership roles.
Dixon is the son of Marvin Dixon and Carol Martin. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in history. He has been selected to serv in the Armor branch on active duty. Dixon will first serve with ROTC as a Gold Bar Recruiter. He will attend the Basic Officer Level Course II at Fort Benning, Ga., and BOLC III at Ft. Knox, Ky. His first duty assignment will be at Fort Hood, Texas, where he will be assigned to the 2nd Brigade 1st Cavalry Division. Promoting 2nd Lt. Dixon was his mother Carol Dixon and brother Matthew Dixon. His first salute was given by 1st Sgt. Donnie Robinson.
Slawson is a self-described “Army Brat” calling army posts across the U.S. and Germany home. He is the son of Dawn Slawson and Sgt. Maj. Ronald Slawson. He graduated with a B.S. degree in history with several entries on the Dean’s list and honors list. He has been selected to serve in the Armor branch on active duty. He will first serve with ROTC as a Gold Bar Recruiter. He will attend the Basic Officer Level Course II at Fort Sill, Okla., and BOLC III at Ft. Knox. His first duty assignment will be at Fort Hood, where he will be assigned to the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. Promoting 2nd Lt. Slawson were his parents. His first salute was given by his father, Sgt. Maj. Slawson.
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