ROTC employee earns Leadership Legacy Award for service, guidance from general

Mary Brewer received an award fit to bring a general.

And that is exactly what happened.

Brewer, a human resources technician at the Central Michigan University ROTC offices in Finch Fieldhouse, received the “Leadership Legacy Award,” and Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, a two-star general, came to CMU from Fort Monroe, Va., to bestow the award with Brewer.

Bartell is the Commanding General of the United States Army Cadet Command and oversees the operations of 273 ROTC host colleges.

“The Leadership Legacy Award” was given to Brewer for her longtime service and guidance to the ROTC.

Brewer, a Pennsylvania native who lives in Bass Lake, has worked at CMU for 15 years and had worked for the Department of the Army for five years before that.

“This is a very prestigious award. It recognizes leadership over time,” Bartell said. “She has clearly demonstrated tremendous leadership.”

Bartell said Brewer deserved the award.

“It’s about taking care of people,” Bartell said. “The odds are, when you treat people with dignity and respect, you’ll get better results.”

Her biggest award

Brewer was shocked about the award.

“I’m speechless, I’m just astounded. I’m grateful to the staff,” Brewer said. “This is the biggest award I’ve received.”

The award is granted annually to one member of the Army’s Accessions Command, the division of the Army which focuses on recruitment of officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers.

Brewer was selected from more than 15,000 other candidates in Accessions Command.

Several ROTC cadets who have risen through the “Chippewa Battalion” were enthusiastic about the impact she had upon them.

“Mary really takes care of everything and everybody,” said Cadet Cpl. Nick VanDermoere, a Eaton Rapids freshman.

VanDermoere said Brewer’s house provided a temporary respite for the cadets during the Rivalry Run from midway between Western Michigan University and CMU one year.

“There was a ridiculous amount of food,” he said.

When Imlay City Cadet Capt. Alexeis Alexander encountered troubles over the summer resulting from attending two different trainings, Brewer was there to lend a hand.

“She saved me from everything,” the senior said. “She was the one to talk to from home. She’s like a mom.”

Lt. Col. Aaron Kalloch, director of the ROTC, agreed.

“She’s the de facto mom for 150 cadets for years,” he said.

Brewer graduated from CMU with a major in entrepreneurship and a minor in business four years ago. “(I plan to) just continue working here,” Brewer said. “I enjoy my job very much so.”