Cadet of the Year

James Barber, a senior accounting major and member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Cedarville University, has been recognized as a Cadet of the Year by the Central State University ROTC program.

Out of nearly 20,000 cadets nationwide, Barber is one of 273 cadets to be honored with the award. Recipients were selected from regional ROTC programs after their grades, academic standing and leadership potential were assessed, and they attended a virtual leadership conference where they received training from general officers.

Barber noted that being recognized for leadership potential is evidence of his growth during his four years at Cedarville.

“I’ve always been somewhat of a leader and wanted to take control and do it my way. When I came to Cedarville, I was lacking in servant-leadership,” said Barber. “Through my time here, I’ve realized that the greatest leader ever was Jesus. Ultimately, he was at the top, but he brought himself to the bottom — and that’s the ultimate picture of servant-leadership.”

Barber hopes to emulate the servant-leadership of Jesus as he steps into military service after college. Following his graduation ceremony on May 1, Barber will be commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He will then spend a year training in the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course (IBOLC) and then Ranger School at Ft. Benning Georgia before stepping into a leadership role as a second lieutenant.

And Barber recognizes that he would not be where he is today without the team of ROTC cadets who have surrounded and supported him throughout his time at Cedarville.

“I almost feel embarrassed to get this award because my ROTC class and I have worked together for the past four years and grown really close,” said Barber. “I don’t believe I would have received this honor if I didn’t have my classmates pushing me.”