2022 Alumni of the Year

RDML Brian E. Luther, USN (Ret.)

Acceptance video {click to view}

Rear Admiral Brian Luther, USN (Ret) is a native of Trumbull, Connecticut. He is a 1984 graduate of Marquette University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Luther commanded the Scouts of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 24, which participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the Battle "E", Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety "S" and the Golden Anchor retention excellence award.

He commanded USS Tarawa (LHA 1) for her final deployment where her crew earned the Department of the Navy Safety Award, the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for Aviation Safety, Battle "E" and Golden Anchor. He commanded

  USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) for her maiden deployment where her crew earned the Battenberg Cup as the best all-around ship in the U.S. Atlantic fleet, the "Jig Dog" Ramage award for excellence in carrier operations, the Admiral Flatley Award, Battle "E" and Golden Anchor. He most recently served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 2.

Prior to squadron command, his afloat tours included service as a pilot and air wing staff officer aboard various aircraft carriers on the east coast. Following nuclear power training, Luther served as the executive officer of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Ashore, Luther was introduced to the Pentagon as a Joint Staff intern (J6K) and watchstander in the National Military Command Center during Operation Desert Storm, followed by assignments as the tactical air analyst for the Director, Strike and Amphibious Warfare Division (OP-74) on the staff of the chief of naval operations and program analyst at the S-3 Class Desk, Naval Air Systems Command. Luther later served two tours on the staff of the assistant secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller as a budget analyst and as assistant director, Office of Budget. He also served as congressional liaison to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and as the Chief of Naval Operations director for Operations and Plans (N31).

After he retired, Admiral Luther joined Navy Mutual Aid Association first as the Chief Strategy Officer where he develops, executes and sustains corporate strategic initiatives while partnering with institutional leaders, special committees and consultants to support those initiatives. He was later promoted to President and CEO.

Admiral Luther is a member in good standing of the Marquette NROTC Alumni & Friends Association. His contributions to the NROTC unit being the Guest Speaker at the 2012 Fall Ball and hosting midshipmen aboard a ship tour when he was the Commanding Officer of the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH.

2022 Young Alumna of the Year

LT Nikkol Rajkovacz, USN

with

CAPT Scott Christensen, USN (Ret.), President of Marquette University NROTC Alumni & Friends Association

Acceptance speech {click to listen} at the Wisconsin Club

Fall Ball November 11th, 2022

LT Nikkol “Big Raj” Rajkovacz graduated from Marquette University in May 2013 with a degree in Chemistry.

After commissioning, her first assignment was to Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Florida. As she went through flight school, she consistently finished top of her class in every stage. After graduating T-45 Advanced Course, she was selected to fly FA-18s, as a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) and completed flight training at VFA-122 at NAS Lemoore, CA. Her first fleet tour was with VFA-154 “Black Knights”, where she deployed to the Arabian Gulf on the USS NIMITZ in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. She was awarded the Air Medal for more than a dozen missions in support of American and Allied ground forces. 

Upon completing her first fleet tour, LT Rajkovacz received orders to Operational Test Squadron, VX-9 at NAS China Lake, CA. During her time there, she was selected to attend the TOPGUN Adversary course, and performed exceptionally throughout all stages of training. After successfully completing the course, she was invited to staff as one of the first female TOPGUN instructors, where she is currently stationed. 

LT Rajkovacz currently resides in Fallon, Nevada. Her awards include the Air Medal (First Strike Flight), Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals with Gold Star (in lieu of second award).