National Virtual Initiation Ceremony

Michael “Mike” L. Oates (Virginia Military Institute, 2020) is the president, chief executive officer, and acting executive director of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation. Currently, the foundation is securing the funds to build the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum, located near Fort Campbell. Mike is a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. In addition to his undergraduate degree, he holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Mike retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of lieutenant general and spent several years working as an executive with Lockheed Martin. He is the recipient of numerous military awards and commendations, including the Distinguished Service Medal and Bronze Star Medal.

Senator Paul S. Trible, Jr. was appointed Christopher Newport University’s fifth president in 1996. During his tenure as CNU’s president, Trible oversaw significant improvements to academic offerings and a complete transformation of the campus into a world-class liberal arts and sciences university. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hampden-Sydney College and his juris doctor from Washington and Lee University, where he served on Law Review. Trible is a 2013 recipient of W&L’s Distinguished Alumni Award. After graduation from W&L, Trible served as a law clerk for a federal judge and then served as a commonwealth’s attorney of Essex County from 1974 to 1976. From 1976-77, he was a member of the Virginia Law Enforcement Officers Training and Standards Commission. Trible was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1977, serving three terms. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1983 and served until 1989. Trible is the 2021 recipient of Omicron Delta Kappa’s Laurel Crowned Circle Award – the Society’s highest individual honor.

Aikeem Hunter is the proprietor and chief creative officer for BariTone Creative. His company provides multi-level communications and marketing campaigns to further connect brands with consumers and other stakeholders. Previously, Hunter served as a video producer for The Home Depot and worked for CNN for more than ten years as a video and associate producer for HLN Productions. He is an Emmy-nominated producer and a recipient of Peabody award, a prestigious honor for outstanding journalist. He is also an acclaimed voice-over artist. Hunter earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in mass communication from SUNY Oneonta and a Master of Arts from Marist College with a focus in integrated marketing communication.