May 14, 2025

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University Spring 2025 graduate Caiden Matthews of Shreveport took the oath of office to serve as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army during a commissioning ceremony hosted by NSU’s Department of Military Science in conjunction with graduation ceremonies May 14.

Matthews earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a minor in military leadership. He has been selected for Quartermaster, active duty, and will attend the Logistics Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Gregg in Adams, Virginia.  Earlier in the day, Matthews was publicly administered the oath during the commencement program in which he graduated.

During his senior year Matthews served as Battalion Commander of the Demon Regiment, the highest rank for a cadet.  He also earned the department’s highest honor, the Major General Urban W. Wise Touchstone Award as well as the Superior Cadet Award, the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award, ROTC Honors, PMS Scholastic Excellence, Cadet Honors, the PMS Commendation Medal, the Leadership Excellence Award and the Cadet Recruiting Ribbon.

Matthews was active at NSU during his undergraduate years at NSU.  He was part of the President’s Leadership Program, president of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, president of the National Panhellenic Council, an Orientation Leader, Helping Hands member and a founding member of the Black Male Alliance which is a Recognized Student Organization.

Matthews graduated from Captain Shreveport High School in 2021, where he was a member of JROTC and served as Drill Team Commander and Color Guard Commander.  He also served as Battalion Commander for the Gator Battalion during his senior year.

Matthews attended Sabalauski Air Assault Air Assault School in July 2023, successfully completing the rigorous training.  After completing the U.S. Army Cadet Command Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he graduated from Cadet Troop Leader Training at Fort Cavazos, Texas, with the 1-227AB (Attack Battalion) 1st Cavalry Division.  He also served as the Battalion’s Intelligence Officer, Company First Sergeant.

The mission of Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science and Reserve Officers Training Corp program is to recruit, educate, develop and inspire cadets with a focus on academics and leadership. Information on NSU’s Department of Military Science and the ROTC program is available at https://www.nsula.edu/rotc/.