Rebecca Bennett '09

Rebecca Bennett chose Cornell because she wanted a school with a great engineering program and Naval ROTC. She also wanted to go somewhere that was not solely technical; a University with a diverse education.

Naval ROTC was an important extra-curricular activity to her. She says, "It provides the training necessary for future Naval and Marine Corps officers. At Cornell as battalion commander, I have been able to develop my abilities as a leader in a relatively risk-free environment. Additionally, I have had the honor to plan the training schedule for younger students in Naval ROTC and oversee the execution of several prominent events."

During her time at Cornell, she says she met many people from a wide range of backgrounds. As a result, Bennett felt she had to develop sound defenses of her viewpoints. "While my core values have not changed, I have had the ability to become truly confident in what I believe and why I believe it."

While at Cornell, Bennett was able to accomplish many things, she was a teaching assistant for Introduction to Chemical Engineering. She claims ability to share her passion for the subject with 80 first-year students was a gift. Bennett was also the new member coordinator and rush chair for Alpha Phi Omega, a community-service organization on campus where she was able to restructure the program to facilitate the significant increase in pledge class size experienced during her time in the organization. Bennett was also honored with membership to a senior honor society, Sphinx Head, and ranks near the top of her class academically.

A memory she treasures most while at Cornell is, "Navy ROTC's largest annual event, Cornell University Invitation Drill Competition -- we had more than 500 midshipmen from other universities in attendance, and I got to call the entire formation, which filled the drill deck in Barton Hall, to attention. I will never forget that."

In future years, Bennett plans to be commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in May. She's then going to flight school in Pensacola, Fla., to become a naval aviator.
"In 10 years, I see myself still serving this great nation in the U.S. Navy. If, at the end of my life, the world is a better place because I was in it, I will consider my life a success."