By Sarah Williams
Editor’s note: Gary ’77 and Marcia Krasicky attended Reunion 2017 to visit the ROTC building and see their gift come to fruition. The Krasicky’s were presented with a plaque thanking them for their gift to Michigan Tech and for helping to create the future for ROTC cadets.
Creating the next generation of leaders happens every day in Michigan Technological University’s Air Force and Army ROTC programs.
“We’re developing quality leaders,” says Air Force Major Jason Engler. “Our students are learning leadership, team work, and problem solving. This is a great character development program to produce better citizens.”
The Army and Air Force have deep roots at Michigan Tech. Army ROTC began in 1927, with Air Force joining in 1946. The two programs moved into its current location, the oldest building on campus, in 1947.
Army Master Sergeant Adam Farmer says ROTC produces quality students with “more than 70 percent of our Army cadets as STEM majors.”
Bruce Seely, Dean of the College of Sciences and Arts, agrees. “Students learn skills at ROTC that will stay with them their entire lives. Our ROTC graduates have fond memories of their time here.”
However, while ROTC receives funding from the federal government and Michigan Tech, program monies have been reduced for everything but the essentials.
That led Gary ’77 and Marcia Krasicky to give back to the Air Force ROTC program.
“Once we decided to make a major gift to Michigan Tech, the next question was where would a gift of this size have the most impact,” Krasicky says.
The couple wanted to impact students on a similar education and career path.
“The ROTC building is beautiful, historic, and was in need of renovation when I was there,” says Krasicky, who attended Michigan Tech and Air Force ROTC. “Major Engler provided us with a list of priorities that our gift could address and all of them made perfect sense to us.”
The Krasicky’s gift will benefit all ROTC cadets. Improvements to the building include restoration of the main entryway and woodwork, new laundry and bathroom upgrades, and updates to the Clubhouse room, with period-style furniture, lights, and restored hardwood floors. Air Force cadets now have a flight simulator with a 3-D virtual environment to practice flying and basic cockpit controls.
“Without Gary and Marcia’s support, there was no way we could do that,” Engler says.
Krasicky says it’s a way to say thank you.
“Anyone who has benefited from their Michigan Tech education and experience should at some time consider giving back to students and the University,” he said. “As veterans, Marcia and I appreciate the sacrifices that these young men and women are making and will continue to make on behalf of our country. It is our way of saying ‘thank you,’ while at the same time supporting their daily activities.”