Major Martin J. Hatch, US Army Seneca Battalion, is pictured with Second Lt. Gwen K. Stokes.

Gwen Stokes was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army on Tuesday in Buffalo. She is the recipient of the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship for Dental Medicine and will be attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (L.E.C.O.M.) School of Dental Medicine in Bradenton, Florida as she pursues her DMD and will serve as a dentist in the US Army.

Gwen is the daughter of Thomas and Jennifer Stokes, has a younger sister, Claire, and a younger brother, T.J., of Fredonia. She is a 2016 graduate of Fredonia High School and a 2020 cum laude graduate of Houghton College with science honors. Gwen received her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in biology and mathematics and a minor in chemistry.

While at Houghton she was captain of both the cross country and track and field teams. She was a multiple all-conference selection in both sports and was also a multiple conference champion. She also earned NCCAA All-American honors in indoor track and field for the high jump. In addition, Gwen was vice-president of the Pre-Health Professions Club and was a member of Sigma Zeta National Science and Mathematics Honor Society. Gwen is an active member of Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church.