J. Richard Lapsley, graduated from St. Bonaventure in 1968.  Lapsley graduated from the university with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.  He  participated in the ROTC program at Bonaventure during the Vietnam War.  After the two mandatory years in ROTC, Lapsley decided to stay in the program because he anticipated being drafted into the war and thought it best to enter the army as an officer.  While in ROTC, he participated in the Pershing Rifles, and went to drill competitions with other universities’ teams.  Lapsley says that being in the ROTC program and serving 21 years in the armed forces helped prepare him for his professional life and highly recommends joining ROTC to students now because of the valuable career experience it can provide.