Nathan SchwartzbauerCadet Colonel Nathan Schwartzbauer of Chaska has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, according to a Saint Thomas Academy press release.

Schwartzbauer is the son of Pamela and Rodd Johnson of Chaska and Michael Schwartzbauer of Lino Lakes.Since coming to the Academy in 2004, Schwartzbauer has earned a cumulative GPA over 3.60, and has been an Eagle and Torch academic award winner as well as a National History Day regional qualifier.

A multiple letter recipient, Schwartzbauer is the 2008 track team captain and was a starting linebacker for the 2007 varsity football team. He serves as the student council secretary, a campus minister, a peer counselor and a member of the anti-drug group “Choose.” He was selected a cadet captain, and was commander of Delta Company.

In November 2007, he was selected as the 100th Cadet Colonel, responsible for the Academy’s entire Corps of Cadets. He has been nominated as cadet of the quarter repeatedly and won the “Military Order of World Wars for Scholastic and Military Excellence” medal. He participated in a service trip to a mission in Guatemala in January 2007.

“Cadet Colonel Schwartzbauer has worked hard in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the leadership courses while at Saint Thomas to create a promising future for himself at West Point,” stated Commandant of Cadets Lt. Col. Michael DePuglio (ret.), U.S. Army. “He has been an outstanding leader and example to many.”

To be considered for admission to West Point, candidates must be qualified academically, medically, and physically, and must receive a nomination from an approved source, such as a member of Congress.