West Virginia State University has inducted three new members into its ROTC Hall of Fame, recognizing two Army officers and a former university president for their accomplishments and service.
Retired Maj. William F. Laney Jr., Lt. Col. Jason R. Lathey and former WVSU President Anthony L. Jenkins were inducted Friday, Oct. 2, during a ceremony at the Walker Convocation Center. Jenkins was inducted as an honorary member.
WVSU created its ROTC Hall of Fame to recognize graduates and supporters who have excelled in their fields. The Hall of Fame was established in 1980 and has inducted more than 175 service members since its creation.
Laney earned his commission through WVSU’s ROTC program in 2002 as a military intelligence officer with a branch detail to field artillery.
During his U.S. Army career, Laney held a variety of leadership and intelligence roles and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He later transitioned to public affairs, serving in leadership positions at Fort Bliss and with multiple Army organizations.
In 2017, Laney deployed to Afghanistan with NATO Special Operations Forces as part of Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan, where he directed coalition public affairs operations. He later led public affairs operations for the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and served as the 3rd Infantry Division public affairs officer.
Laney retired from active duty in 2021.
Lathey, a Dunbar native, earned his bachelor’s degree from WVSU in 2003 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in military intelligence, branch detailed to infantry. He later earned master’s degrees from Webster University and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
During his Army career, Lathey served in leadership, intelligence and cyber operations roles, including assignments with the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.
He deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and served as lead targeting officer for Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. His final assignment was chief Army liaison officer to the National Security Agency.
Jenkins, who served as WVSU’s 11th president from 2016 to 2020, was inducted as an honorary member. He is a U.S. Army veteran and first-generation college graduate.
Jenkins became the eighth president of Coppin State University on May 26, 2020. Under his leadership, the university has expanded its academic portfolio, achieved record enrollment growth, elevated its national profile and advanced hundreds of millions of dollars in capital projects.
His tenure has also produced record milestones in fundraising, student retention, graduation rates, corporate partnerships, endowment growth and alumni engagement.
During his four years leading WVSU, Jenkins helped strengthen the university’s national brand and reposition the institution to become more competitive, relevant and sustainable.
The ROTC Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held as part of WVSU’s Homecoming activities.
