HOUGHTON ALUMNUS COMMISSIONED AS NAVY OFFICER

HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton alumnus Bob Van Wicklin, class of 1992, was sworn into the United States Navy last week.  Van Wicklin is the son of Houghton College professor John Van Wicklin and serves as the deputy chief of staff for U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport).  He received a Direct Commission to serve as an officer in the Navy Reserves.

"I am extremely proud of Bob for taking on this responsibility to serve our country in the armed forces," said Rep. Kuhl.  "To be directly commissioned as an officer in the Navy is a rare honor, and one that Bob has rightly earned.  He has had an outstanding career of government service including 14 years as a congressional staff member for me and with Amo Houghton before me.  I am glad that he has taken this extra step to serve our country in the Navy while continuing his work for me and the 29th Congressional District in Washington."

Van Wicklin grew up in Allegany County and is a 1988 graduate of Fillmore Central School.  He graduated from Houghton College with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science and earned his master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.  Van Wicklin's career began in 1992 when he took a job with then-Congressman Amo Houghton as staff assistant in his Olean and Corning offices.  In 1994 he moved to Washington to become Houghton's legislative assistant and adviser on foreign affairs, continuing to serve as legislative director, press secretary and finally as chief of staff until Houghton's retirement in 2004.  Van Wicklin became the transition manager to newly elected Rep. Randy Kuhl in 2004 and was appointed deputy chief of staff in January 2005.  He currently resides in Annapolis, Md.