Aubrey Kempton Recognized During Academic Honors Program at VSU

Aubrey Gage Kempton of Bainbridge, Georgia, is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Division of Aerospace Studies Most Outstanding Professional Officer Corps Cadet Award at Valdosta State University. He became the first member of his family to earn a college degree when he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Minor in Aerospace Studies during VSU’s 235th Commencement May 6. He commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force after graduation and will train as a helicopter pilot. He is pictured with Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU; Lieutenant Colonel Lucas Brommer, commander of United States Air Force ROTC Detachment 172; and Dr. Robert Smith, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

VALDOSTA — Aubrey Gage Kempton of Bainbridge, Georgia, is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Division of Aerospace Studies Most Outstanding Professional Officer Corps Cadet Award at Valdosta State University.

Kempton was recognized during VSU’s annual Academic Honors Program on April 27.

The Division of Aerospace Studies Most Outstanding Professional Officer Corps Cadet Award is presented to a highly ranked cadet from VSU’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 172 who demonstrates positive contributions to leadership, initiative, good judgment, self-confidence, promptness, and respect for authority; adapts to change; and possesses the highest personal and ethical standards and strong personal convictions.

“Receiving this academic honor means resiliency to me,” he said. “During my college career, I have been faced with many obstacles in rapid fire succession. My graduating class were freshmen during the initial impact of COVID-19, academics become increasingly more challenging as you progress, and balancing work/family with all of this going on is very challenging. However, it is the courage to continue that counts. Receiving this honor is a testament to hard work and persistence, and I am truly grateful to be receiving it.”

Kempton became the first member of his family to earn a college degree when he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Minor in Aerospace Studies during VSU’s 235^th Commencement May 6.  

As a student at VSU, Cadet Colonel Kempton served as cadet wing commander for VSU’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 172. He was a member of the Emory Bass Squadron of the Arnold Air Society and the Air Force Association. He worked with The Agency and OSF Productions, two Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration organizations committed to promoting the university and forming connections with young learners.

Kempton’s commitment to academic, leadership, and service excellence resulted in him earning repeated Dean’s List honors, the Air Force ROTC Commander’s Leadership Scholarship, and an I Caught You Caring Award for helping to keep campus parking lots clean.

Kempton commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force after graduation and will train as a helicopter pilot. He said he plans to “lead our nation’s sons and daughters to the utmost of my ability and to serve our country as long as physically possible, before separating from the service to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a medical doctor. Ultimately, I plan to leave everything better than I found it during my professional career.”

Kempton’s supportive family includes his parents, Amanda and Steve Black, as well as his significant other, Taylor Emmons, and their feline son, Toby.