Name: Cadet Valerie M. Ranum
School: Oregon State University
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
Major: Chemical Engineering
What Makes This Cadet Stand Out From Their Peers?
Cadet Ranum showed leadership promise long before she joined Army ROTC at Oregon State University. While in high school, she served as captain of the varsity volleyball team and varsity tennis team. In her free time, Cadet Ranum volunteered for various nonprofit organizations in Oregon and organized a fundraising event that raised over $2,000 for breast cancer research.
Now a sophomore at Oregon State University, Cadet Ranum is pursuing a degree in chemical engineering and is currently maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.1, and last summer working in a bioengineering lab studying paper-based microfluidics. She is also a member of the university’s club volleyball team that competes with other Division I Schools in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
Cadet Ranum is highly involved in Army ROTC through Color Guard, various ROTC intramural teams and serving as President of Oregon State University’s chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers. In addition to her ROTC commitments, Cadet Ranum is currently pursuing her private pilot’s license and is a member of the Oregon State Flying Club, as well as being an active Oregon State University Tour Ambassador.
In The Cadet's Own Words:
I was inspired to join Army ROTC by my family’s long history of military service. With two great grandfathers and both of my grandfathers having retired career Army, and a father that is a retired Navy submariner, I had a sense of duty and patriotism instilled in me from a very young age. My grandfathers’ service as decorated Army Aviators drives my ambition to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career as an Army pilot.
Army ROTC provides me with amazing opportunities and challenges that are continuously developing and improving my skills as a leader. The program has honed my planning, organizing and communication skills and pushes me to lead by example. ROTC has provided structured training and guidance that has helped me to become a better athlete. Through extra PT, focused training, battalion and cadre support, I have become a stronger athlete than I thought possible. The program continues to drive me and provide opportunities to accomplish my goals, such as the slot I received for Air Assault School this summer. I look forward to the challenges that being a MS III Cadet will offer, with the opportunities to improve my technical and tactical skills, while putting them to the test in the field. My ultimate goal is the Branch Aviation upon commissioning and serve my country as an Army pilot.
Awards & Achievements:
-President of Oregon State University’s Society of American Military Engineers
-ROTC Cadet Honors Award
-ROTC Silver Medal Athlete Award
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