Not all of the National Guard troops who served at the U.S. Capitol during President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20 carried weapons.

Two Neumann University alumni who were part of the deployment filled key support roles as a chaplain and a journalist.

Dontae Phillips, a political science major who graduated in 2010, serves as a chaplain in the 175th Battalion of the Maryland National Guard.

While in Washington, DC, Phillips joined more than 50 National Guard chaplains from across the country offering support and guidance for the troops.

“It was a very peaceful transfer of power,” Phillips said. “I was actually able to see President Biden sworn in, and I was moved by his speech.”

Sara Ropski, a 2020 graduate and Pennsylvania National Guard member since 2016, is from Folcroft. The communications and digital media major served in a public affairs and administration role at brigade headquarters.

Her responsibilities included taking photos of and conducting interviews with the troops for press purposes.

“I was out there walking and talking with the soldiers for morale purposes, too,” Ropski recalled.  “It was a lot to take in, knowing there could be a threat, but everything went smoothly without any issues.”

As part of the deployment of 25,000 National Guard troops to Washington, both Phillips and Ropski were housed in hotels for several week surrounding the January 20 event.

Neither had attended a presidential inauguration before.

Ropski is currently earning a master’s degree in strategic communications at Liberty University. She plans on continuing her work with the National Guard before pursuing a career in athletic communications. 

Phillips, who received his master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University and is currently working on his doctorate in language and literacy, plans on transitioning from his religious ministry to the political arena.