SALISBURY — Sixteen students were commissioned for service as Junior Marshals at Catawba College in an Aug. 16 ceremony held as part of Opening Convocation activities for the 2016-2017 academic year.

These Junior Marshals, who assist College Marshal David Pulliam, assure that order and dignity are observed during formal occasions of the college, including Opening Convocation, Awards Convocation, Baccalaureate and Commencement. Marshals also serve at the annual Service of Lessons and Carols.

Junior Marshals are chosen from the rising junior class each year based on academic excellence. The top students, by GPA, in the day program are selected at the beginning of the fall semester and the top in the school of evening and graduate studies are selected at the end of block three in the spring semester. They embody the best of Catawba College in both academic achievement and service to the college community.

Junior Marshals from the day program for the 2016-2017 academic year include: Mikaela Brown of New London; Samuel Collins of Mooresville; Elisabeth Farmer of Salisbury; Amanda Fuller of Salisbury; Victoria Layton of Concord; Kara Peschock of Statesville; Caitlin Rimmer of Troutman and Alex Thornton of Concord.