Dr. Mike Colegrove, Cumberlands’ vice president for student services and retired Army colonel, read an appointment that officially commissioned Taylor as a second lieutenant.

Lt. Col. Chris Holly, professor of military science at Eastern Kentucky University, administered the Oath of Office and presented Taylor with a certificate of commissioning.

Taylor’s mother Ms. Melody Taylor and his girlfriend Ann Ramey affixed the gold bars to his uniform. He then upheld the time-honored tradition of a first hand salute by a non-commissioned officer, which was commemorated by Taylor giving a silver dollar to the non-commissioned officer, his father, Sgt. Robert Taylor.

University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a private liberal arts college in its 117th year of operation. Cumberlands offers four undergraduate degrees in 37 major fields of study, 30 minors and nine pre-professional programs, graduate degrees and certifications in education as well as online and accelerated, nontraditional programs for adults.