James Cathey Scholarship Recipients

2017 - 2nd Lt Michael Johnson

2nd Lt Johnson was born in a small town in northern Connecticut. After graduating high-school, he received a NROTC scholarship to Colorado, an opportunity which 2ndLt Johnson considers one of his greatest blessings. In his time with CU

NROTC, he participated in a variety of activities including the unit’s Endurance Team as well

as numerous intramural sports including hockey, frisbee, softball, and soccer. He served as Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion

Sergeant Major, and Endurance Team Captain. 2ndLt Johnson is graduating from Colorado University Summa Cum Laude with a degree in International Relations with a focus on Europe and Russia. 2ndLt Johnson plans to get married in May and begin The Basic School in June where he intends to pursue a career as an Infantry Officer.

2017 - 2nd Lt Spencer Lahrs

Spencer Lahrs was born in Vancouver Washington but has lived most of his life in Colorado.From 2001 to 2003 Spencer lived in China with his parents as they taught at a University. This is where Spencer first became proficient in Chinese. Spencer graduated in 2012 from Frederick High School in Frederick, Colorado. After graduating, he moved back to China for a year-long language training program. While study Chinese, he worked as a translator and teacher. Spencer completed the program and started school at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). He received his degree this may in International Affairs with a minor in Chinese and leadership. Spencer graduated Officer Candidate School (OCS) this summer and will commission into the United States Marine Corps in October of 2018. During that year he will be getting his masters degree in counterterrorism at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.

2016 - 2nd Lt Sebastian Bailey

2015 - 2nd Lt Bradley A. Kramer

The 2015 James Cathey Leadership Award was awarded to 2nd Lt Bradley A. Kramer. 2nd Lt Kramer is originally from Saline, MI. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 2004. He completed his infantry training as a 0341 mortar men in 2004 and joined 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. Over the course of his eleven year enlisted career, 2nd Lt Lienhardt served with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 24th MEU, Mountain Warfare Training Center, and 1st Battalion, 5th Marines where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. His personal awards include the Purple Heart, Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and Combat Action Ribbon. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the United States Marine Corps on May 8th, 2015.

2014 - 2nd Lt Ronald J. Lienhardt

The 2014 James Cathey Leadership Award was awarded to 2nd Lt Ronald Lienhardt. 2nd Lt Ronald Lienhardt is originally from Bethel, CT. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 2004. He completed his infantry training as a 0331 machine gunner in 2004 and joined 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team. Over the course of his six year enlisted career, 2nd Lt Lienhardt served with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, Marine Forces Europe, and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. From August 2006 to May . He enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2010 as part of the Marine Corps MECEP program where he majored in History and minored in Philosophy, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the United States Marine Corps on May 9th, 2014.

Lt Lienhardt is married to Virya Lienhardtr and they have one son, Rivers.

2013 - 2nd Lt Richard F. Viehdorfer

2nd Lt Richard Viehdorfer is originally from Westminster, CO. He joined the United States Marine Corps in August 2004. He completed his infantry training in 2005 and joined 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines out of 29 Palms, California. After one deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Viehdorfer completed scout sniper basic training before returning to 3/7 for a second tour in Iraq. His other training includes Mountain Scout Sniper, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school, and Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) Urban Sniper. He enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2009 as part of the Marine Corps MECEP program where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the United States Marine Corps on May 10, 2013.

Lt Viehdorfer is married to Lindsie Viehdorfer and they have two children, Evan and Ella.

2012 - 2nd Lt Adrian Carillo

Second Lieutenant Adrian Carillo arrived at the University of Colorado Denver in the Summer of 2009 after serving as a 6048 Flight Equipment Tech in the United States Marine Corps. He completed his time at UC in December 2012 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He will be attending The Basic School this upcoming spring and accompanied by his wife Brandy and their three children Aaron, Haiden, and Jasmine.

Additional pictures from the joint commissioning ceremony can be seen at the following link: http://inhishandsphoto.passgallery.com/event/zCQPP134268

2011 - 2nd Lt Bridge

In 2007 Lt. Bridge graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in Watchung, NJ. From there Lt. Bridge attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. In the Fall of 2009 Lt. Bridge spent a semester abroad studying at Peking University in Beijing, China.

Lt Bridge attended first increment of Officer Candidate School Summer of 2010. At CU Bridge majored in International Affairs and graduated in May 2011 with a 3.5 GPA. While there Bridge was a member of the Naval ROTC unit. As an NROTC member he participated in five semesters of Drill Platoon and was Battalion Commander during Spring semester of his senior year.

Lt Bridge was commissioned in August 2011. After waiting six months to attend TBS, he picked up in March 2012. In the interim he bartended, waited tables, and worked at a gym to stay engaged. Lt Bridge said the following about TBS:

"When I finally got to TBS I was ready to finally be indoctrinated into the Marine Corps. TBS was a true test of everything I had ever learned about anything, Marine Corps or otherwise, and it was also a test of how well I could learn and adapt under stress. It was a mental and physical marathon but it made me a much better officer for it."

Lt Bridge graduated TBS in the top 10% of his class on September of 2012 as an 0402, Logistics Officer. After Logistics School completes in early February 2013 he will be heading to Combat Logistics Battalion 3 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

2010 - 2nd Lt Joshua Welch

The First Scholarship Recipient: Second Lieutenant Joshua Welch

On May 15, 2010 the Eternal Valor Foundation issued the first memorial mameluke sword in honor of James Cathey to Second Lieutenant Joshua Welch.

2nd Lt Joshua Welch enlisted in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program in May of 2001 and attended Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego. After graduation he attended

Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California. Upon graduation from MCT, PFC Welch was assigned the 2621 MOS and sent to training to be a Signals Intelligence Analyst at Corry Station in Pensacola, Florida. In January of 2003, he reported to Fort Huachuca, Arizona for the Basic and Advanced Morse Code Interceptor School.

Corporal Welch then reported for duty at Company A, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado. While at Company A, he served as an Intelligence Reporter and Intelligence Analyst, as well as a Platoon Sergeant. In 2005, he deployed to Iraq with 3rd Radio Battalion in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and served as a Special Security Officer and a Signals Intelligence Team Leader.

After returning from Iraq, then Sergeant Welch applied for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and was accepted in 2006. In May 2007, he reported to MECEP Preparatory School at MCRD San Diego and subsequently returned to Colorado for school. He was attached to the Naval ROTC unit at the University of Colorado Boulder and attended classes at the University of Colorado Denver. He received a Bachelors of Science from the CU Denver Business School with an emphasis in Finance Management. 2ndLt Welch received his commission on May 15, 2010 and will be reporting to The Basic School on July 6, 2010.