Schools of Business Celebrates 235th Marine Corps Birthday

Wake Forest University Schools of Business celebrated the U.S. Marine Corps’ 235th Birthday during a ceremony at the Worrell Professional Center courtyard on Nov. 9. Students, faculty and staff listened and watched as Marine veteran Rob Duryea (MBA ’12) read General John A. Lejeune’s birthday message and cut a birthday cake with his officer’s sword.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate a tradition which is a significant part of my life. I had a great time over the past 20 years in the Marine Corps,” said Duryea.

The oldest Marine present, Dean of Business Steve Reinemund, received the first piece of the cake and passed it along to the youngest marine present, Matt Berthinet, (JD/MBA ’13). Formality calls for the passing of the piece of cake to symbolize the passing of history, tradition and culture.

Reinemund served five years as an officer in the Marine Corps after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1970. Berthinet joined the Marine Corps in 2003. Career Management Center director Guy Groff, also a Marine veteran, was among those present at the birthday ceremony.

Wake Forest prides itself on the success of military students returning to earn graduate degrees at the Schools of Business. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Wake Forest participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The VA started this scholarship-matching program to honor military service post 9/11.

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