CS 37 cadet named top graduate

  • Published
  • By Don Branum
  • Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Cadet 1st Class Zebulon Hanley was selected as the Air Force Academy's top graduate by the Academy Review Board May 24.

Hanley, who is assigned to Cadet Squadron 37, will be the first member of the Class of 2013 to receive his diploma from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.

Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould had CS 37's air officer commanding, Maj. Colin Cremin, call Hanley away from parade practice on the Stillman Parade Field to report to the superintendent's office in Harmon Hall.

"I was worried about what was going on, but I was confident that I had done everything appropriately," Hanley said. "But when they actually announced that I was graduating first, I (felt) a sense of relief, but I was also very happy, very surprised."

Hanley credits his family, fellow graduates and instructors for his success.

"I'm really thankful for everyone who helped me get here," he said. "I think a lot of my own success is a product of my parents' hard work and the support from the rest of my family, my classmates and all my great professors and other mentors that I've had at the Academy. If anything, it's a good reward for them."

The top graduate, chosen annually based on academic, military and athletic performance averages, is the first to receive his diploma after the commencement address.