Evan Baynes ’13, who graduated with a B.A. in economics/international studies, recently was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He also received the Air Force ROTC Distinguished Graduate award.
Rhodes, in cooperation with The University of Memphis and the Departments of the Army and Air Force, participates in cross-town agreements that provide the opportunity for Rhodes students to enroll in ROTC. The commissioning ceremony took place this month on The University of Memphis campus.
In Air Force ROTC, Baynes served in the highest cadet wing position as wing commander. During his tenure, he led the cadet wing’s first campus-wide September 11th and Veterans Day ceremonies; the detachment’s 60th anniversary dining out; the first win of the joint service Commanders Cup in 15 years; and a visit to Little Rock Air Force Base to include a C-130 orientation flight.
Baynes also experienced a study abroad semester in Kiev, Ukraine in summer 2012. This semester, he pioneered the detachment’s involvement in the Luke Air Force Base F-16 fighter orientation flight. Baynes now will go through training to serve as a U.S. Air Force pilot.