NROTC 2026 Commissioning Ceremony
Friends and family of the graduating students can click the announcement below to navigate to Eventbrite. There they can learn more about the students' educational journeys and RSVP to attend the ceremony.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Faculty House
Seminar Ballroom 2nd Floor
64 Morningside Drive
Columbia University in the City of New York
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.
Kindly respond by Monday, May 18
Columbia University Commissionees
Born in Brooklyn, New York, OC Clarke returned to New York City to attend Columbia University after being selected for the Seaman to Admiral Officer Program (STA21) in 2023. They will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and earn their commission in May 2026.
Prior to embarking on the rigorous journey from enlisted to becoming a commissioned officer, OC Clarke had completed the Naval Nuclear Training pipeline as a Nuclear Electronics Technician (ETN) and was the first ETN in their class to qualify at prototype. During their time in the pipeline, they served in a multitude of leadership roles as the Class Leader in “A” School, Section Leader in Power School, and Class Lead in Prototype. Furthermore, they served as the Command Career Counselor’s Assistant at NNPTC where they assisted with retirements, reenlistments, and led all Officer Programs. This includes STA21, Officer Candidate School (OCS), and the Naval Academy.
Throughout their time at Columbia University, they have volunteered as a Sexual Violence Response Peer Educator. This included over 50 hours of initial training, biweekly meetings, volunteer events and presentations, and required annual training.
Prior to active duty, OC Clarke graduated from Port Jervis High School in the top 10 of their class, was an Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Section Champion, and holds school records for the 4x100m Relay, 4x400m Relay, and Sprint Medley Relay (1600m). They held multiple leadership positions as Captain of the Track Team (Indoor and Outdoor), Captain of the Cross Country team, and Vice President of the local Chapter of the National Honor Society.
OC Clarke’s personal awards are based on the leadership skills they have developed through experience, hard work, dedication, and a desire to better themselves and those around them. Following “A” School, OC Clarke earned the CO’s Personal Excellence award. Furthermore, they earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the spring semester of 2024 and 2025. Lastly, they were recognized for their outstanding leadership, high ethics, and scholarship achievement through the Christine and Francis Lombardi Scholarship.
Officer Candidate Randall is a native of Fort Mill, South Carolina. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), with a minor in Philosophy, and is a member of the New York City Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit. Prior to entering naval service, he attended the University of Southern California before later transferring to Columbia University. In addition to his technical studies, he has also pursued coursework in Mandarin Chinese as a personal academic interest.
Following graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, Officer Candidate Randall reported to Nuclear Field “A” School at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC), where he completed Electrician’s Mate “A” School and advanced to the rate of Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) Third Class (EMN3). Upon completion of Nuclear Power School, he received orders to Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU).
While assigned to NPTU, Officer Candidate Randall was selected for the Seaman to Admiral–21 (STA-21) commissioning program. He subsequently qualified Electrical Operator aboard Moored Training Ship (MTS) 626.
Following completion of prototype training, he attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) at Officer Training Command Newport (OTCN), Newport, Rhode Island, completing eight weeks of officer accession training.
Upon graduation from NSI, Officer Candidate Randall reported to New York City to join the New York City NROTC unit, where he is completing his undergraduate studies and working toward earning his commission as a naval officer in the United States Navy.
Captain Dennis L. Farrell, Commanding Officer, New York City Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Captain Farrell began his Naval career in the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps at the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering.
In March 1996, Captain Farrell reported to the USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) and served as Communications Officer and Strike Officer. While in ANTIETAM, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf with the KITTY HAWK Battle Group in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. From 1998 to 2000, Captain Farrell served in USS MONSOON (PC 4) as Executive Officer and Weapons Officer. Aboard MONSOON he deployed to the Western Pacific and the Caribbean as a Naval Special Warfare asset, proving capabilities, and recovering over $6 million in illicit narcotics. Following his tour in MONSOON, Captain Farrell reported to the Surface Warfare Officer School and served as a Division Officer Course Instructor and Combat Systems Billet Specialty Division Head during which he was selected as the Division Officer Instructor of the Year.
Captain Farrell served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer in USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52) from February 2003 to December 2005. BUNKER HILL served as Air Defense Commander for the CONSTELLATION Battle Group and launched 31 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles during initial combat operations of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. From December 2004 to June 2005, BUNKER HILL deployed as the Sea Combat Commander for the BONHOMME RICHARD Expeditionary Strike Group to the Western Pacific, Arabian Gulf and Horn of Africa in support of Operations UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, providing Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief following the tragic Indonesian tsunami of 2004, as well as Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
From January 2006 to December 2008, Captain Farrell served in a Joint Billet at the Missile Defense Agency as Program Element Manager for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program and was designated a Joint Qualified Officer. From January 2009 to April 2011 he served on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, Surface Warfare Directorate, as the DDG 1000 Branch Head.
He reported to USS COLE (DDG 67) in December 2011 as Executive Officer and became the Commanding Officer in July 2013. He deployed twice to the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, in support of Operations ATLANTIC SENTRY, SHARP SENTRY, and ACTIVE ENDEAVOR. Captain Farrell was awarded the Battle “E” for his command of COLE.
From February 2015 to June 2017, Captain Farrell was the Deputy Director of Investment and Development Division in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller). Captain Farrell was Commanding Officer, USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) from December 2017 to December 2019 and served as the EISENHOWER STRIKE GROUP Air and Missile Defense Commander winning the Battle “E.”
Following his Major Command Afloat tour he served as the Deputy Director, Fleet Capabilities and Force Development for the Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command from February 2020 until June 2021. From July 2021 to July 2023, Captain Farrell served as the Student Council President and Navy Chairman at the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University. In August 2023, Captain Farrell became the Commanding Officer of the New York City Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Captain Farrell’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Vice Admiral Bulkeley Inspirational Leadership Award, and various other service medals and ribbons. He earned Program Management Level III Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Certification and the Financial Management Additional Qualification Designation. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island, a Master of Engineering Management from Duke University, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University.