Lt. Col. Tillman

Colorado State University’s Army ROTC Ram Battalion celebrated the retirement of Lt. Col. Matthew Tillman on December 14, 2024, at the Lory Student Center Theatre. The honor of playing the National Anthem was given to CSU student and School of Music, Theatre, and Dance viola player Bella Penna.

“As a cadet in Army ROTC, it instills me with great confidence that the Professor of the Year of Military Science in 2023, a Lieutenant Colonel, and very respected LTC Tillman would ever ask me for a favor so important to this country. This is a huge honor,” said Penna.

Lt. Col. Tillman, the 46th Professor of Military Science at CSU, emailed Penna to ask the only music major in the Army ROTC to play at his retirement. Penna is working on degrees in Music Education and Military Science.

CSU Viola Instructor Margaret Miller said, “Bella is a great representative of our students, both in music and also for her work in the Army ROTC.”

This semester, Penna took 19 credit hours on top of serving as an RA in Corbett Hall.

“Bella has maintained a terrific attitude, and her work ethic is commendable. She is a joy to work with,” said Miller.

CSU music major Bella Penna plays violin at the Colorado State University Army ROTC Ram Battalion retirement of Lt. Col. Matthew Tillman. December 14, 2024.

Penna noted this would be her first time performing solo aside from necessary assignments in school. After talking through ways to play the National Anthem with Miller at their weekly 1:1, Penna said, “She helped give me the confidence that I can successfully complete the task and put smiles on some important faces.”