CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Oct. 30, 2009 -- Vance Pawielski has won the nationwide Air Force's ROTC Civilian of the Quarter Award. 

He attained this award for his accomplishments in recruiting and his exceptional management of the cadet corps at Southeast Missouri State University, where he serves as communications coordinator.

To compete for ROTC's top honor, Pawielski first won the Air Force ROTC Northwest Region's Civilian award.  ROTC consists of detachments located at 144 universities with civilians assigned to each detachment. 

Pawielski serves as the program manager for one of the largest geographically separated units in the Headquarters ROTC Northwest Region.  He is a Southeast alumnus who has been employed 15 years at Southeast.  He is a retired military veteran who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.

Air Force ROTC is military officer commissioning program at Southeast Missouri State University.