Graduation 2026: Fred Hoffman delivers keynote address at Pride of Pennsylvania Army ROTC Commissioning

Mercyhurst University held its annual Pride of PA Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center as part of the weekend’s Commencement 2026 events.

The ceremony featured keynote speaker Associate Professor of Intelligence Studies and retired Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Fred Hoffman. Dr. Richard McCarty, provost and vice president for academic affairs, delivered welcoming remarks before the following cadets received their commission.

2nd LT Erich Fuhrman hails from Erie, Pennsylvania, commissioned as an Army Military Police Officer. He will complete his initial Army training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

2nd LT Ella Melcher is a Distinguished Military Graduate who hails from Hamburg, New York, and commissioned as an Active Duty, Army Field Artillery Officer with a follow-on control branch of Military Intelligence. After commissioning, she will complete her initial Army training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

2nd LT Jackson Roth is a Distinguished Military Graduate who hails from Kennedy, New York, and commissioned as an Active Duty, Army Infantry Officer. He will complete his initial Army training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

2nd LT Ryan Len hails from Lancaster, New York, and commissioned as an Active Duty, Army Armor Officer. He will complete his initial Army training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

2nd LT Ethan Iozzia is a Distinguished Military Graduate who hails from Elma, New York, and commissioned as an Active Duty, Army Infantry Officer. He will complete his initial Army training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

2nd LT Iozzia, Melcher, and Roth all were named distinguished military graduates for placing within the top 20% of the National Order of Merit list. 2nd LT Iozzia’s ranking placed him in the top 1% nationally and 2nd LT Melcher was in the top 5% nationally.

During his speech, Dr. Hoffman emphasized what makes these five newly commissioned second lieutenants stand out while sharing his own unique career experiences, including 30 years in the military and service as a human intelligence officer. Throughout his career, he has served in 28 countries on four continents as an interrogator, interpreter, strategic debriefer, case officer, liaison officer, and as a military attaché. Dr. Hoffman offered the new lieutenants guidance and advice as they begin their military careers.

Dr. Hoffman retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves in 2013 and is a recipient of the Bronze Star, DIA Director’s Award, and Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Prior to joining Mercyhurst, Dr. Hoffman taught at Johns Hopkins University and worked for eight years as a competitive intelligence professional in the private sector.