History
Fifty-three years ago, the Army designated Columbus College as a host institution for the Reserve Officer Training Corps on 24 January 1972. In 1973, the ROTC Department was authorized its distinctive unit crest modeled after the official seal of Columbus College with the motto βPrimus Inter Paresβ or βFirst Among Equals.β The battalion adopted its name from the schoolβs mascot and is known as the Cougar Battalion. Fifty-one years ago, in June of 1974, the first 12 ROTC graduates commissioned. In 1996 Columbus College was renamed ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½. Since then, the university and ROTC program have grown in both size and reputation. Over the last half century, the Cougar Battalion has commissioned nearly 700 Officers and is recognized as one of the strongest ROTC programs in the nation.