Alumnus to be inducted into Army ROTC Hall of Fame
Photo of Ken Kramer, University alumnus and 28 inductee into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame.
April 25, 2018
University alumnus Ken Kramer will be inducted into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame at a ceremony on April 27 for his contributions to the military and civilian society.
“Students will obtain an appreciation of the dedication and hard work of a man who used his University of Illinois education to pursue a life of service to the country,” Eric Ashworth, assistant professor of military science and scholarships and enrollment officer, said in an email.
University alumni are expected to attend the ceremony, along with various other guests from the community.
Ashworth said some alumni that have been inducted in previous years will be in attendance, and students will be able to speak with them.
“All former Hall of Fame members have similar achievements in the military, public service, academics and/or business,” Ashworth said.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
This is the fourth induction ceremony of the Army ROTC program that will recognize alumni, and Kramer will be the 28 inductee, Ashworth said.
Kramer graduated from the University and was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1963. He then attended Harvard University, where he obtained his juris doctor in 1966.
From 1967 to 1970, Kramer served in the U.S. Army reaching the rank of Captain.
Kramer served as a Colorado state representative from 1973 to 1978 and was elected as congressman from Colorado to the United States House of Representatives, where he served four terms.
Kramer was also nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller. He was later nominated by President George H. W. Bush and appointed as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, where he served as Chief Judge from 2000 to 2004 and since then has served as Senior Judge of the Court.
Ashworth said Kramer is a strong supporter of wounded warriors, co-chairing an annual fundraising golf tournament for the past 10 years.
“Although his time in uniform was brief, his contributions to the U.S. Army and our nation were significant and therefore he is being inducted into the Fighting Illini Army ROTC Hall of Fame,” Ashworth said.
