summer 2022
Vol. 100, No. 2
Your Leadership. Our Thanks.
inside
14 Q&A With Brad Carson Recognizing Women Members 22 Who Inspire and Serve Judge Advocates: 26 Leading Through Justice
Thank You to Everyone Who Attended The 2022 National Leadership Conference!
Contents Vol. 100, No. 2
The Circle® is a publication of Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc., and it has been published since 1923.
How to contact The Circle:
The Circle, Omicron Delta Kappa 224 McLaughlin Street Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 458-5344, tara@odk.org www.odk.org
How to update your name or address:
Please visit the O∆K website, odk.org, click on the members tab and submit your updated form. You can also email odknhdq@odk.org.
How to receive The Circle:
When you become a member of O∆K, a digital subscription to The Circle is included in your membership. You can access the digital version online at odk.org/get-involved/thecircle.
Where to send a notice of a death:
Please contact Michelle Dilk, michelle@odk.org, with the news of a recent death of any member of O∆K.
Publisher
Tara S. Singer, Ed.D., President and CEO University of Louisville
Creative Director
Amy A. Newman, Communications Assistant
2021-22 Board Chair Willie L. Banks, Jr. University of Georgia
Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded in Lexington, Virginia, on December 3,
1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the
05 06 12 13 14 18 20 21
collegiate level. The founders established the O∆K Idea—the concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate
life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the
campus and community. O∆K’s mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty,
staff, and alumni; and promote O∆K’s ideals of collaboration,
22
inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service on college and
university campuses throughout North America. The Society’s national headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.
On the Cover: Pictured left to right: William D. Razz Waff, Gwendolyn Bingham, Brad R. Carson, Amanda F. Lippert, and Col. Wayne E. Dillingham (Ret.)
26 30
Chair’s Letter
A message from Willie L. Banks, Jr.
Member News
Read about the accomplishments
Secretaries of Defense
Of the 28 U.S. individuals to serve in this role, two are members of O∆K
Learning from Military Experiences from the Past
Several members are involved with preserving the history of military leaders and conflicts
Q & A with Brad Carson
A conversation with veteran and current president of the University of Tulsa
In Your Words
Military Chaplains and Leadership – William D. Razz Waff
Campus News
A round-up of circle activities
Circles and Institutions with Military Traditions
The Society has circles at two service academies, two state military schools, and two other institutions with significant military traditions
Trailblazers: Recognizing Women Members Who Inspire and Serve Profiles of nine women members who have or currently are serving in the military
Judge Advocates: Leading Through Justice Learn about the Judge Advocate General’s Corps
Lifting Up: Supporting U.S. Veterans Businesses, nonprofits, and institutions of higher learning advocating for veterans
The Circle • Summer 2022 | 3
Adopt a Window at the National Headquarters Honor or remember a member of the Society or celebrate the history and heritage of a circle by adopting a window. A plaque with the donor’s message of dedication will be placed next to each window.
SAMPLE MESSAGES MIGHT INCLUDE:
• In memory of Rupert Nelson Latture
(Alpha Circle, Washington and Lee University, 1914)
• In honor of Willie L. Banks, 2021-22
Board Chair (University of Georgia, 2002)
• This window was donated by the Spencer Family – Hugh, Jo, Tara, and Maria
Windows are available for adoption in three sizes and at three prices: $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000. To learn more or to donate, visit odk.org/campaign/windows 4 | odk.org
board chair’s letter
Salute
to Service
Here’s what the USAF says about its core values:
and Mrs. Prasai Banks
nks, Sr. (Ret)
Msgt. Willie L. Ba
Dear Member, This issue of The Circle is focused on military leadership and the members of the Society who have or currently are serving our country. Throughout the pages, one will have the opportunity to read about our members enlisted by the different branches of the military, our circles at institutions with military traditions, and the preservation of military history. My late father spent his career in the United States Air Force (USAF). He retired as a Master Sergeant after 26 years of service. Twenty of his years in the military were spent overseas, and he was a General’s Aide for several years during his career. I learned a lot from my father about the core values of the USAF, which are very similar to the ones of Omicron Delta Kappa. The leadership values of the Society, which were affirmed during the most recent strategic planning process, are below. ● Collaboration – to work together to achieve a defined and common purpose ● Inclusivity – to actively seek, embrace, and advance a diverse group of individuals ● Integrity – to align one’s values and beliefs with behaviors and speech ● Scholarship – to strive for excellence in academics and pursue lifelong learning ● Service – to answer the call for action from one’s community or country
● Integrity First – An Airman is a person of integrity, courage and conviction. They must be willing to control their impulses and exercise courage honesty and accountability in order to do what is right even when no one is looking. ● Service Before Self – An Airman’s professional duties take precedence over personal desires. Every Airman is expected to have the discipline to follow rules, exhibit self-control and posses respect for the beliefs, authority and worth of others. ● Excellence in All We Do – An Airman strives for continual improvement in self and service in order to propel the Air Force further and to achieve greater accomplishment and performance for themselves and their community.
O∆K has long been an organization that celebrates and recognizes democratic ideals, service, and sacrifice. On behalf of my fellow members of the Society’s Board of Trustees, I want to thank our members, both past and present, for their military service. We truly appreciate the sacrifices they have made throughout their lives in the hopes of establishing and maintaining peace. Yours in Leadership,
Willie L. Banks, Jr., Ph.D. 2021-22 Chair, Board of Trustees Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc. The Circle • Summer 2022 | 5
O∆K MEMBER NEWS
Congratulations COLLEGIATE LEADERS
• Lauren M. Bradford
(Auburn University, 2019) is this year’s Miss Alabama. Morgan H. Holen (University of Nebraska – Lincoln, 2019) is this year’s Miss Nebraska. They both competed for the title of Miss America in December. Bradford was the first runner-up in the competition.
• Claire E. Bunn
(University of Georgia, 2020) has been named Gates Cambridge Scholar.
• Carissa G. Dopman
(Alfred University, 2021) has been recognized as a 2021 Laureate of the Tau Beta Pi Association.
• Isabella M. Escobedo
(Delta State University, 2021) has been chosen as the 2022 Delta State University Congressional Fellow.
• Josefina M. Ewins
(Rutgers University – Camden, 2021) has been recognized as a 2021 Front Runner New Jersey/ LaPrensa 30 Under 35 Young Top Latino Leaders.
• Lucy A. Greenman
(William & Mary, 2020) was one of this year’s
participants in the Jeopardy! National College Championship.
• John Marshall Herbst (University of Kentucky, 2011) has developed an innovative workshop for assisting first-year medical students with their exams.
• Riley H. Laver
(Missouri Southern State University, 2021) has been named one of this year’s Al Cade Beacon of Hope Award recipients. This award honors an individual student and a student group who have
contributed an extraordinary level of dedication and demonstrated superior leadership through volunteer service on or off campus at MSSU.
• Kinsey T. Nguyen
(Roanoke College, 2021) won the Washington Semester’s Dr. Christopher Joyner Memorial Award for Outstanding Student for the Fall 2021 term.
• Rachel M. Reed
(Arizona State University, 2002) was chosen as the Outstanding Graduate from ASU’s College of Integrative Sciences. Reed is also one of the Society’s 2021-22 scholarship
ANOTHER O∆K MEMBER SELECTED AS
Rhodes Scholar
Klarke J. Sticklen (Sewanee – The University of the South, 2021) has been named a 2022 Rhodes Scholar. She is a Chattanooga native and recently graduated with a degree in American studies and a minor in African American studies at Sewanee. Stricklen was named a Truman Scholar in 2021. At Oxford, she intends to pursue a Master of Science in economics and social history. In addition to being a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Sticklen is also a member of Phi Alpha Theta, a history honor society. She received the school’s Davis Family Scholarship for leadership and community service and the Isabel Caldwell Marks Memorial Scholarship. Stricklen has also served as a student research assistant for the school’s Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation, is a member of the campus chapter of the NAACP, and was active with the Bairnwick Women’s Center at Sewanee. 6 | odk.org
CELEBRATING THE MEMORY OF TRUSTEE
H. Randall Capps (Western Kentucky University, 1980)
Trustee H. Randall “Randy” Capps died unexpectedly on February 2, 2022. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation in 2020 and was a 1980 faculty/staff initiate of the Western Kentucky University Circle. In addition to serving as a trustee, Capps was also the national parliamentarian for O∆K. Capps earned degrees from Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University. His doctoral degree was from the University of Virginia. He did post-doctoral work at Vanderbilt and was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Humanities from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2016. Professionally, Capps served as president of Leadership Strategies Group, a performance management consulting
firm. He worked with clients in the areas of leadership development and strategy. He was also a Scholar in Residence and Professor of Management in the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University. His teaching responsibilities included educating Executive MBA and doctoral students. Notably, he was the founder of the Kentucky Center for Leadership, a nonprofit organization that supports those interested in enhancing their leadership skills. Capps won several university awards for both research and teaching. He was awarded an educational grant from the General Motors Educational Foundation to research leadership among executives in the company. He has also received grants from the government of Quebec to research management and leadership practices among Canadian companies. He was the author of nine books, most focused on communication and leadership.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION • Michael C. Baumhardt (Bowling Green State University, 2009) received the 2022 NASPA Silver research award for Commuter Off-Campus Military-Connected Nontraditional Services.
• Jennifer L. Bloom
(Illinois State University, 1986) has been recognized as a 2022 ACPA Diamond Honoree.
• Shannon E. Ellis
(University of Illinois, 1976) is the 2022 recipient of the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA.
• Sharon L. Fries-Britt
(University of Maryland, College Park, 1989) is this year’s recipient of NASPA’s Robert H. Shaffer
Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member.
• Kenneth Gassiot (Texas Tech University, 1998) is the 2022 winner of NASPA’s Bronze research award for Enrollment Management Financial Aid First-year Other-year Orientation Programs.
• Lamar R. Hylton (University of North Carolina, Asheville, 2013) was named a 2022 NASPA Pillar of the Profession and an ACPA 2022 Diamond Honoree. • Nicole J. Johnson
(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2015) was selected as a 2022 ACPA Diamond Honoree.
News
• Robert J. Jones (University at Albany, 2013) is the 2022 recipient of NASPA’s President’s Award.
• Carolyn H. Livingston
(University of Virginia, 2004) was selected as a 2022 NASPA Pillars of the Profession honoree.
• John Wesley Lowery
(University of South Carolina – Columbia, 1992) is this year’s recipient of NASPA’s George D. Kuh Outstanding Contribution to Literature and/or Research Award.
• Gretchen J. Metzelaars (University of Maryland, College Park, 1995) is
this year’s recipient of ACPA’s Esther LloydJones Professional Service Award.
• Steve D. Mobley
(University of Maryland, College Park, 2013) was one of the ACPA 2022 keynote speakers.
• Leslie Jo “LJ” Shelton (Ohio University, 2002) has been honored as an Emerging Scholar by ACPA.
• Christopher Tankersley
(University of Akron, 2000) is this year’s recipient of the NASPA Gold research award for Campus Security Crisis Management Student Conduct and Community Standards Violence Prevention.
The Circle • Summer 2022 | 7
REMEMBERING PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND PAST FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Ron Roskens
Ronald W. Roskens, the only individual to serve as both Omicron Delta Kappa National President and Foundation President, passed away at the age of 89 on February 27, 2022. He served as Omicron Delta Kappa’s National President from 1986-90 and as Foundation President from 1988-96. Roskens was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1953 and his master’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1955. Roskens began his higher education career by serving as the assistant dean of men at Iowa from 1956-59, and he received his Ph.D. from Iowa in 1959. That same year, Roskens was appointed dean of men at Kent State University. He spent the next 13 years at Kent State, moving from his role in student affairs to becoming executive vice president for administration and a professor of educational administration. In 1972, Roskens was named chancellor of the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). He served in this role until 1977. At that time, Roskens was appointed president of the University of Nebraska System, a position he held until 1989. UNO honored him with the Order of the Tower award, the school’s most notable non-academic recognition, in 2009. In 2010, UNO further honored Roskens and his wife with the naming of the College of Education in their honor. Following his higher education career, Roskens served under President George H.W. Bush as the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development from 1990-92. Roskens was a charter member of the Kent State Circle when it was chartered on October 22, 1965. In appreciation for his many contributions to the organization, he was presented with O∆K’s Meritorious Service Award in 1978 and the Distinguished Service Key in 1996. 8 | odk.org
During Roskens’ tenure as national president, O∆K moved into a new suite of offices at the University of Kentucky in 1987. He oversaw the hiring of William S. Zerman (University of Arkansas, 1982) to fill the position of executive director after the retirement of Maurice A. Clay (University of Kentucky, 1954). Roskens also presided at the Society’s 75th anniversary celebration, held in 1989 at Washington and Lee University. As Foundation President, Roskens oversaw the organization’s first major fund drive, which succeeded in raising more than $100,000 to support leadership development programs, scholarships, and circle resources. In 1993, Roskens elected to serve as the executive officer of Action, International. This organization was made up of former heads of state who would gather to discuss three or four major issues and offer recommendations to sitting heads of state. The heads of state who Roskens worked with included Helmut Schmidt, Gerald Ford (Florida Southern College, 1984), and the former leaders of Australia and Canada. In 1999, Roskens was selected to be honorary consul general of Japan for Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. In this role, he was responsible for helping to facilitate the exchange of information from the governors and business leaders in each of these U.S. states and those leaders in Japan. He coordinated the annual conference, which alternated between the U.S. and Japan. Roskens served in this role for two five-year terms. At the conclusion of his service, he was invited to a ceremony with the prime minister and the emperor of Japan where he received that country’s highest honor. In addition to being a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Roskens was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma. He also served his fraternity as its national president.
HIGHER EDUCATION • Rosemary A. Allen (Georgetown College, 2011) has been named the president at Georgetown.
• Luis C. Almeida (Talladega
College, 2021) and T. Kenn Gaither (Elon University, 2016) have been nominated for PR Newsline’s Social Impact Outstanding Educator of the Year Award.
• Bradley J. Andrews (Carthage College, 2003) has been selected as the 14th president of Brevard College. • Michael D. Amiridis (University
of South Carolina – Columbia, 2011) has been named president at South Carolina.
• Lonnie T. Brown, Jr. (Emory
University, 1985) has been named dean of the College of Law at the University of Tennessee.
• Jeffery T. Burgin (Belmont
University, 2016) has been appointed vice chancellor for student affairs at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
• Rachel Carpenter (Pace University, 2015) has been named vice president for student affairs and dean of students at the University of Evansville.
• Bishop R. Donald Cook II (Morehouse College, 2015) is a contributing fellow with the Center for Religion and Civic Culture within the Dornsife College of Letters,
News
AND
Appointments
Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California.
• Adrian E. Dowell (Roanoke
College, 2007) has been appointed the new vice chancellor of athletics at the University of Nebraska – Omaha.
• Kirsten C. Elleby (Old Dominion
University, 2004) has been named the deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator at Syracuse University.
• Bret S. Danilowicz (Georgia
• Teik C. Lim (University of
Cincinnati, 2015) has been appointed president of New Jersey Institute of Technology.
• Jewerl T. Maxwell (Muskingum
University, 2001) has been appointed as provost at Taylor University.
• Katricia G. Pierson (William Woods College, 2009) has been named the new president at Crowder College.
• Brian Primack (University of
Southern University, 2011) has been selected as the eighth president of Radford University.
Pittsburgh, 2018) has been named the new dean of the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University.
• John A. Delaney (University of
• Michael Rao (Virginia
Florida, 1976) has been named the new president of Flagler College.
• Casey J. Hayes (Franklin College,
Commonwealth University, 2015) is leading the board of the American Council on Education.
2011) is this year’s recipient of Franklin’s Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.
• Stacey M. Robertson (Whittier
• Laurence “Larry” J. Jacobs (Georgia
• Tania Tetlow
Institute of Technology, 1995) has been named the institute’s first senior vice provost for education and learning.
• Suzanne P. Keen
College, 1986) has been selected as president of Widener University. (Tulane University, 1991) is the new president of Fordham University.
(Washington and Lee University, 2012) has been named president of Scripps College.
• Daniel R. Kittle (Heidelberg
University, 1998) has been named the new president of Dakota Wesleyan University.
The Circle • Summer 2022 | 9
LIFETIME MEMBER • Ashley D. Aaron (Troy
University, 1992) has been appointed to the Alumni Association Board of Directors at his alma mater.
• The $96 million pavilion
• The history room
at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has been named for Michael D. Chason (Valdosta State University, 1973).
at the Ole Miss has recently been renamed for Sandy and John L. Black, Jr. (University of Mississippi, 1961) in appreciation for their $10 million gift for the facility.
• Jay L. Clausen
• James R. Bullington
• Tara Flynn Condon’s
(Auburn University, 1961) is a 2022 recipient of the Auburn University Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Anita Gentle Newcomb (University of Houston, 1986), who earned her undergraduate degree at Auburn, is also one of the 2022 honorees.
• Colleen J. Broomall
(University of Delaware, 2005) is an active actress and journalist.
• Ambika Bumb (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003) is serving as the Deputy Executive Director with the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
10 | odk.org
(University of Nebraska – Omaha, 1985) received the Department of Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal in May 2020. (Dickinson College, 1996) book, Some Assembly Required, received second place honors for literary excellence from this year’s PenCraft Awards.
• Sim J. Covington
(University at Albany, 2005) was recently elected to the Canandaigua (New York) City Council.
• George T. Drost (Augustana College, 1968) was honored by the Office of the Czech Counsel General with the Distinguished Contribution to Diplomacy Medal in October 2021.
News
• Brian K. Everett (Rutgers
University – Camden, 2017) has been named one of the New Jersey Insider Out 100 LGBTQ most politically influential individuals in the state.
• John C. Ford (University
of Maryland, College Park, 1964), and his wife Sandra Sollod Poster, have received this year’s Legacy Award from Maryland’s Alumni Association. The Student Success Center at the HUB on the campus of Neumann University has also been recently named in appreciation for Ford’s service and commitment to the school.
• Frank R. Jimenez
(University of Miami, 1985) has been named vice president and general counsel for GE Healthcare. Jimenez has also been appointed to the board of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
• Kody H. Kinsley (Brevard College, 2004) has been promoted to secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. • Roberta “Bobbie” K.
of Iowa, 1974) is the mayor of Marshalltown, Iowa.
Laur (Townson University, 2002) has been named the new president of Campus Compact.
• Ashley S. Hendricks
• Jessica E. McClain
• Joel T. Greer (University
(Bowling Green State University, 2013) has been named a 2022 Movers and Shakers Award recipient by the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club.
• Matthew I. Hibdon
(Middle Tennessee State University, 2010) is the immediate past president of the MTSU National Alumni Board.
• Lee M. Hollis
(Washington and Lee University, 1986) has been appointed to the W&L Board of Trustees.
(Towson University, 2005) has been named the chief financial officer for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital.
• Everett D. McCorvey
(University of Alabama, 1981) has been selected as chair of the Kentucky Arts Council. McCorvey was also one of the featured speakers for the 2022 O∆K National Leadership Conference.
member news
LIFETIME MEMBER • Margaret “Lyn”
McDermid (University of Richmond, 2012) has been appointed as Secretary of Administration for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• William C. Mims
(William & Mary, 1978) is a justice on the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Steven M. Moret (Louisiana State University, 1992) is the new president and chief executive officer for Strada Education Network. • Kelsey P. Ostergren
(Grand Valley State University, 2014) has been elected to National Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology’s Education Committee.
• Matthew S. Primous
(SUNY Brockport, 2015) has been nominated for Artist of the Year in Spoken Word and Outstanding Legacy Award by Akademia Music Award’s Executive Team for his research and speeches.
• Eric K. Reinholdt
(University of Texas at San Antonio, 2004) has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, recognizing his achievements in media.
• Travis R. Smith (Delta
State University, 1975) was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
• Henry W. Snyder
(Centre College, 2019) has been appointed to Centre’s Board of Trustees.
• R. David Sprinkle
(Davidson College, 2002) and his wife Pam were named Outstanding Philanthropists by the Association of Fundraising Professionals NC Triad Chapter.
• Audrey O. Strawbridge
(University of Alabama, 1996) has been named a Top Attorney of North America by Marquis Who’s Who.
• Lowndes Frederick
Stephens (University of South Carolina – Columbia, 1985) has been presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who.
• John R. Sudduth
(Jacksonville State University, 2002) received the Pierce C. Cain Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award at Gadsden State Community College.
News • Laurance M. Timm
(Louisiana State University, 1970) has been honored with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who.
• Wiley A. Warren (Wake Forest University, 1950) has been inducted into the Roanoke Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
• Rita T. Williams
IN
Memoriam
(Emory University, 1985) is a Marquis Who’s Who Humanitarian Award recipient.
• Publix heiress and philan-
• Palmer Gene Vance II (Transylvania University, 1985) has been elected as the 202224 chair of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association.
• Long-time student affairs
thropist Carol Jenkins Barnett (Florida Southern College, 2011)
University of Miami student affairs administrator William R. Butler (Ohio University, 1962)
• Former Veterans
Administration administrator and former U.S. Senator Joseph “Max” Cleland (Stetson University, 1979)
• NCAA men’s basket-
ball championship coach Joe B. Hall (University of Kentucky, 1978)
• Marly D. Thomas
(University of Alabama, 1983), the wife of the late Joab Thomas (University of Alabama, 1967) and first lady of the institutions they both served. The Circle • Summer 2022 | 11
MILITARY LEADERSHIP at the
O
nly 28 individuals, two of them members of Omicron Delta Kappa, have served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The position itself dates back to 1947. It was established in the years after World War II when President Harry S. Truman appointed James Forrestal as the first Secretary of Defense. By law, the Secretary of Defense is also a member of the National Security Council. This high-ranking member of the presidential cabinet has the position of command and authority over the military and is only outranked by the president as commander-in-chief. In terms of the chain of command, for both administrative and operational purposes, all of the branches of the military are administered under the Secretary and the Department of Defense.
Top
and served until 2011. At the time of his retirement from government service, President Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. Currently, Gates is the chancellor of William & Mary. He will be honored in late 2022 by Omicron Delta Kappa with the Society’s highest individual honor – the Laurel Crowned Circle Award.
CHARLES T. HAGEL (University of Nebraska – Omaha,
2009) was nominated to be the 24th Secretary of Defense by President Obama. He voluntarily joined the Army in 1967 and earned two Purple Hearts during his service in the Vietnam War. After a successful career in business, Hagel ran and won election as the U.S. Senator from Nebraska. He served in Congress from 1996-2008. Hagel was the Secretary of Defense from 2013-15. Previously, Hagel was a professor at Georgetown University’s ROBERT M. GATES (William & Mary, CHARLES T. HAGEL Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign 2015), pictured above, started his career as a Service and a member of Obama’s President’s military intelligence officer and analyst in the Intelligence Advisory Board. He is a recipient of the U.S. Air Force; however, he was soon recruited by Horatio Alger Award honoring distinguished Americans. the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). President George Hagel too has a connection to William & Mary. He is a 2007 H. W. Bush (Harding University, 1997) appointed Gates to recipient of an honorary degree of public service from the head the CIA. After the conclusion of his work in that role, school. The University of Maryland, College Park’s Center Gates was president of Texas A&M University. He returned for American Politics and Citizenship presented him to government service in 2006 when President George with the 2008 Millard Tydings (University of Maryland, W. Bush nominated him for the position of Secretary College Park, 1928) Award for Courage and Leadership of Defense. Gates, the 22nd Secretary of Defense, was in American Politics. ● retained in the position by President Barack H. Obama 12 | odk.org
PRESERVING MILITARY
P
Memories
hilosopher George Santayana’s famous aphorism, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” is inscribed on a plaque at the Auschwitz concentration camp remembrance site. This phrase has been often adapted as, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Three members of Omicron Delta Kappa are engaged in the administration of museums, foundations, libraries, and research centers that help remember, preserve combat artifacts, provide historical perspectives on military leaders, and celebrate the contributions of the men and women who have served.
PAUL A. LEVENGOOD (University
of Richmond, 2016) is the George C. Marshall Foundation’s president. Based in Lexington, Virginia, the foundation operated the George C. Marshall Museum and Library for many years until it closed in 2021. However, the foundation’s work to “promote the values of selfless service, dedicated effort and strength of character exemplified by Marshall’s life and leadership in war and peace and to inspire new generations to follow his example as they face the challenges of the future” continues. Notably, the foundation supports both professional and amateur researchers in better understanding the origins and implementation of the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II.
MICHAEL “MIKE” L. OATES (Virginia Military
Institute, 2020) is the president, chief executive officer, and acting executive director of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation. The foundation was established in 1992 to support the development of the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to represent the history of Fort Campbell and the divisions that are and were stationed here. Currently, the foundation is securing the funds to build the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum, also located near Fort Campbell. According to Oates, a retired three-star general, the museum will provide an educational opportunity for
citizens to learn more about and honor the legacy of the U.S. Army soldiers and families who served at Fort Campbell. Specifically, the museum focuses on the incredible service and sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). When asked why having such a museum was important, Oates said, “’For our representative democracy to continue to thrive, our citizens must know our history and the fundamentals of our constitution. Many of the enduring characteristics of American military leadership involve personal sacrifice and service to a cause greater than oneself. Wings of Liberty will bring our history to life and provide true stories of selfless service to the nation and adherence to our constitution and the rule of law.”
ROBIN “ROB” P. HAVERS (Virginia Military Institute,
2014) has had several experiences in managing museums that document wars and the individuals who served during these conflicts. He was previously the Marshall Foundation’s president and formerly the president and CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago. Since 2021, he has been the president of the American Civil War Museum, which operates in three locations. Havers says that the museum’s mission is to “inspire an understanding of the motivational causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War. This is accomplished by presenting unexpected stories from the battlefield and on the home front. Our interpretation is presented from the multiple perspectives of both men and women, soldiers and civilians, and free and enslaved African Americans.” Havers says that understanding military conflicts, particularly the American Civil War, “with all of its horror and tragedy, is the most substantive catalyst of every aspect of human endeavor from technology, economics, politics, and social change. The American Civil War, the War that remade America, is no different and the changes wrought on this county and this society as a result of that conflict remain with us to this day.” ● The Circle • Summer 2022 | 13
QA &
BACKGROUND Brad Carson (Baylor University, 1988) is the 21st president of the University of Tulsa (TU). Appointed to his position in 2021, Carson previously was a professor at the University of Virginia, where he taught courses related to public sector innovation and national security. President Barack Obama named Carson acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness at the U.S. Department of Defense in 2015. In this position, he managed an internal organization with more than 30,000 employees. He and his team were responsible for everything from military readiness, education, and training to human resources and health care for the Department of Defense’s nearly five million service members, civilian personnel, and their dependents. Prior to that appointment, Carson was the undersecretary of the U.S. Army. In this role, he managed the Army’s daily operations. In addition, he served as general counsel of the U.S. Army. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Carson served as an active-duty intelligence officer and was awarded the Bronze Star.
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From 2001-05, Carson served two terms as a U.S. congressman, as the representative from Oklahoma’s 2nd district. Later, he was appointed to the faculty of TU’s Collins College of Business and College of Law. Carson grew up on Indian reservations around the country and, later, represented the congressional district that is home to the Cherokee Nation. At one time, he served as president and chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Businesses. Carson received his Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University and was a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford. He earned his law degree at the University of Oklahoma. This interview has been edited for clarity and consistency.
Q:
What were you involved in as a student at Baylor that ultimately led to your selection for membership in O∆K?
I was involved in lots of university activities, helping to run big events for the student body. I was also involved
Q &A
with Brad Carson
in the local Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and similar clubs and activities. In general, I was an active student leader, so my fingers were in many pies.
Q:
During your service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was there anything in particular that has been adapted for your role as president of the University of Tulsa? The military very self-consciously thinks about leadership. Few other organizations share this trait, however much they might value the idea of “leadership.” The organization of the military is a good template for any activity, and the military’s notion of “mission command” – where the leader sets goals but subordinates have the creativity to execute – works in settings far beyond war.
Q:
From your current perspective, what is something you would like to have known as a 20-something leader?
I wish I had known there is wisdom in crowds. There is a story that Gilbert Keith Chesterton, the great writer, recounted in one of his many works. A young man sees a fence across a road and, deciding it an obvious obstruction, wants to remove it. Chesterton admonished the young man to go away and figure out why the fence might have been erected. Only when the young man could answer that question would Chesterton allow the fence to be destroyed. This story illustrates the point that there is a lot of tacit knowledge built into social norms and cultural traditions that, while not apparent at first, is to be disregarded only at great peril.
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Q:
How do you think Omicron Delta Kappa members can best support the current members of our military and our veterans?
I’d like to see more O∆K members join the military. It is a great organization, and military service would benefit both the group and the individual. I have definitely encouraged my own teenage son to be part of the military, if only for a single enlistment. O∆K members should try to help bridge the military-civilian gap, which is only growing.
Q:
What are some aspects of military leadership that you think all leaders should employ?
Q:
Which of your previous positions best prepared you for your service as a university president?
Love of your subordinates. Putting others ahead of yourself. Commitment to the mission. Bounded creativity. A deep study of history. A culture of “lessons learned” – whereby each activity is analyzed for what went right and what went wrong. A bias for action.
Serving in Congress has been the best preparation for service as a university president. I was in Congress from 2001-05, and a university president, like a politician, has to be out and about, enjoy meeting people, appreciate raising funds, be reasonably good at public speaking, and be willing to suffer through lots of banquet meals!
Q:
Part of the mission of Omicron Delta Kappa is to promote collaborative and inclusive leadership. In your roles in the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army, what was the significance of collaborative leadership?
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The most important benefit of collaborative leadership is that working with a group reduces the chance for the cognitive bias of a single person to become operationalized. It also enhances the likelihood of buy-in from those charged with carrying out orders.
Q:
Through your experiences as the president and chief executive officer of the Cherokee Nation Businesses, did you find any similarities between tribal and military leadership? There are similarities between tribal and military leadership, but these are largely the similarities that exist between any two leadership roles. You must have a strategic mind, a focus on execution, be willing to delegate responsibility, and know when to doggedly pursue an idea even in the face of opposition. But the military is very hierarchical, a necessity born out of the needs of combat. Tribal leadership, at least among the Cherokees, is much more consensus-oriented. The command and control aspects of military leadership would go over poorly among the Cherokees.
Q:
What is your personal philosophy of leadership?
I have many leadership mantras that I’ve collected over the years. One that I often think of is, “A leader’s job is to do the large things and the very smallest things; it is the in-between that can be delegated.” I picked this up from reading a history of Japanese business, and I often quote it when people say that the university president shouldn’t be involved in campus food service or the waiting time for our counseling center. These are the small things that matter, and I try to pay attention to them. ●
We’re
Almost There!
Omicron Delta Kappa will conclude its first-ever comprehensive campaign in
June 2023. The Society has exceeded its original goal of raising $5 million and is now working reaching its revised goal of $5.6 million. Consider helping O∆K by making an outright contribution or multi-year pledge. If the Society is already included in your estate plans, let us know.
CAMPAIGN GIFTS MAY BE USED TO FUND: ✦ Scholarships ✦ National Leadership Conference ✦ Gift of Membership ✦ Key Fund ✦ National Headquarters Preservation ✦ Circle Grants ✦ National Leader of the Year Program
SCAN to Learn More! For more information about the Campaign for Our Second Century, contact President/CEO Tara S. Singer at tara@odk.org or (540) 458-5340. Additional information about the campaign may be found at odk.org/campaign.
The Society’s National Leader of the Year program is named for Gen. Russell E. Dougherty (University of Louisville, 1947). The top student each year receives a $4,000 award, and five other students are selected to receive a $1,000 award for their outstanding achievements in the pillars of campus leadership celebrated by O∆K: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts.
The Circle • Summer 2022 | 17
In Your Words...
MILITARY CHAPLAINS AND Leadership
W
by William D. Razz Waff hen military leaders are discussed, names such as George Washington, John Lejune, George Marshall, Billy Mitchell, and Raymond Spruance often come to mind. With these titans of military leadership, it would seem counterintuitive to think about chaplains in the same discussion. However, that would be a rush to the wrong conclusion.
The classic U.S. Army definition of military leadership in the 1970s – which I think is the best definition I’ve seen – is that it is “the art of influencing and directing people in such a way as to obtain their willing and loyal cooperation in order to accomplish the mission.” The image most often bought to mind is someone senior in rank ordering a subordinate to “do something” – attack an enemy position or march mindlessly in the rain – to use two complete extremes of possibilities. The words I’ve bolded above say something completely different: art, influencing, willing, and cooperation. These characteristics are critical as chaplains are the only group of
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officers who do not exercise the privilege of command. Their authority comes from the expertise they bring to their commander in their knowledge of religions, cultural mores, and the pulse they have on the morale and spirit of the members of the unit they serve. In a very real way, chaplains truly exercise the “art” of leadership. My experience as the executive director of the Military Chaplains Association in reviewing the resumes of chaplains who have been selected as Distinguished Chaplains for each component for each of the armed services – Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast
Guard – articulate a very different model of leadership than ordering a subordinate to “do something.” What I have seen are men and women, active duty, reserve, and national guard, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist – who have been selected for being religious and spiritual leaders who do far more than lead a worship service once or twice a week. They deploy to countries around the world with their units providing counsel and moral and religious support to those they serve with (or finding someone of their faith tradition if the chaplain cannot meet the request). They are also charged with guiding unit
in your words leadership about the religious and cultural background of the countries in which they will be stationed, becoming the subject matter experts in areas not normally addressed by commanders in military circles. As chaplains, they also serve wherever needed. They may be called to be hospital chaplains – providing not only support to patients and families but also to medical and nursing staff – and often earn advanced degrees in family dynamics, psychology, and medical ethics. In those situations, they will provide leadership in chairing clinical medical ethics committees and institutional review boards and sometimes providing clinical ethics consults at the bedside. While these settings demonstrate chaplains taking the lead with their units and their commanders in more common settings that come to mind, chaplains also provide moral, religious, and spiritual leadership when they are not deployed with their units away from home. This dynamic is most often seen with the reserve and national guard chaplains who remain behind at their home reserve center or national guard armory. In these settings, they will often be put on an active-duty order and keep in close contact with the chaplain who is forward-deployed to stay informed of what is happening with the unit. They provide moral, religious, and spiritual support to the families. In the worst-case scenario, chaplains work with the family if their loved one is killed overseas. Drawing on my own experience as a line officer of almost 40 years – serving as a commander at the company, battalion, brigade, and division level – has allowed me to see the significant difference in leadership
decision making that chaplains have in comparison to their counterparts on a commander’s staff, such as the Inspector General (IG) and the Judge Advocate General (JAG). IGs will primarily make their assessment of a situation based on military policies and regulations, while JAGs will make their assessment on military law. Chaplains are the staff professionals who can speak up with their assessment being grounded in a unit’s will, spirit, and morale. Having commanded the Army Reserve unit and military post in New Jersey, which conducted immediate disaster relief after Hurricane Sandy, having the input of the subordinate unit chaplains provided a view that no other staff professional could provide. The subordinate unit chaplains would report the sense of a unit’s ability to “keep going” in working through relief efforts and the sense of how families who had been displaced and provided temporary housing were coping with the aftermath of the storm. These individuals often reported items needed by families which no one else had registered on their reports. In summation, while chaplains do not provide traditional military “command and control” leadership, the type of leadership they do provide, to borrow a line from one brand of credit card, is priceless. ● Maj. Gen. William D. Razz Waff, D.Min. (Ret.) (University of Mississippi, 1975) is the executive director of the Military Chaplains Association. He served on the Omicron Delta Kappa Society Board of Directors and on the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc.
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CIRCLES IN
ACTION
The members of CU (Eta Xi) Circle conducted a book drive to support the university’s prison education initiative. Books were secured from faculty members in different disciplines and donated to a local correctional facility.
The UNR Circle partners with DKMS to work on a regional bone marrow registry. In addition, the circle worked with a local food bank to provide care packages for senior citizens in the greater Reno community.
During the 2020-21 academic year, the Millsaps College Circle sponsored a seminar on career advancement and skill development, including interviewing, management, and public speaking sessions. The circle also supported health screenings with a local free clinic. Members of the DBU Circle have the opportunity to participate in mentoring sessions with the institution’s president. They also serve as table leaders and sponsors for the school’s annual dinner honoring individuals in the community.
The UCF Circle participates in the coordination of the annual LEAD Scholars Academy. This program identifies, recognizes, and develops leadership across the university.
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The circle at the University of Houston partnered with other offices to coordinate a fall day of service. Circle members raised money, purchased, decorated, and stuffed duffle bags with care items for foster children.
circle news
CIRCLES AT INSTITUTIONS WITH
MILITARY TRADITIONS One of the Society’s oldest circles is the Alpha Omicron Circle at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. At the time of the circle’s founding in 1933, almost all students were members of the school’s noted Corps of Cadets. Since that time, the Society has expanded to include two of the federal service academies and three other senior military colleges. These circles and their founding dates are identified below.
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
JUNE 3, 1933
NOVEMBER 15, 1989
MARCH 24, 2003
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
THE CITADEL – THE MILITARY COLLEGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
MAY 13, 2005
MARCH 7, 2013
MAY 4, 2017
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trailblazers by Sally K. Albrecht
n America, women have supported the U.S. military in various capacities since the Revolutionary War. In many conflicts, women have served as medical and nursing personnel. In more recent decades, women have been on the front lines in combat and command positions. We are proud to profile nine members who have blazed new trails through their educational, governmental, and military roles.
collegiate leaders The top collegiate leadership positions at The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina and Virginia Military Institute had never been held by a female student until 2018. That year, Sarah J. Zorn (The Citadel, 2018) made history when she was appointed as the first female regimental commander at The Citadel. This position is the highest-ranking cadet, in charge of the entire
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2,350 student corps. She served in that position for the duration of the 2018-19 academic year. As of 2022, Zorn is a first lieutenant stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma, Washington. She has also served as a HIMARS (high mobility artillery rocket system) battery operations officer, platoon leader, and battery executive officer for the U.S. Army. In May 2021, Kasey G. Meredith (Virginia Military Institute, 2021) became the first female commander in VMI’s 182-year history. After graduation and leading the school’s 1,700-member Corps of Cadets, Meredith intends to enlist in the Marine Corps. In describing her time as the commander, Meredith said, “It has certainly been a learning experience, which is exactly the reason I applied for the
:
WOMEN Inspire and Serve
RECOGNIZING MEMBERS Who position. It has been an opportunity, incomparable to others, that has been very worthwhile. It continues to request a lot out of me but gives me a lot in return. Even though the time in the position is coming to a close, I will continue to put all of my efforts into commanding the corps until the very last day.”
the tradition of military medical service continues Many elementary school students learn the story of Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern nursing, who managed and trained nurses during the Crimean War. Since that time, thousands of women have served as medics, nurses, physicians, researchers, clinicians, and
therapists in the military. Many of them also rise to serve in significant leadership and command roles. Jessica May Franklin (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2016), another somewhat recent graduate, was active in Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets and the Air Force ROTC. As a student, she earned the honor of distinguished graduate while double majoring in biochemistry and Spanish. After receiving the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship, May Franklin continued her studies at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and earned the Gold Humanism Honor Society award for her quality of care. May Franklin completed her internship at Brooke Army Medical Center,
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graduating at the top of her class and earning the Air Force Achievement Medal. May Franklin, who presently holds the rank of captain and is stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, is a staff physician and flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force. In 2023, she will be returning to San Antonio, where she will begin residency to become a board-certified dermatologist for the USAF. With more than 20 years of military service, Amanda F. Lippert (Old Dominion University, 2008) is currently an aerospace and operational physiologist with the U.S. Navy. In 2016, she was one of six women honored at the Women in Aerospace Awards Ceremony. Lippert is the first U. S. Navy MSC Officer board-selected to serve for two years as a fellow at NASA, studying human performance in extreme environments at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Sherleen P. Espinosa (Old Dominion University, 2009) received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from ODU. Soon after graduation, she became an industrial hygienist in the U.S. Navy. In March 2020, she was deep-selected and meritoriously promoted to lieutenant commander. Espinosa has been accepted at Duke University, where she will be working toward a Master of Public Policy with a concentration in security policy. In the summer of 2022, Espinosa will be heading to U.S. Pacific Fleet Command to serve as the director of global health engagement and health security cooperation officer. After receiving her nursing degree at Auburn University in 1997, Melinda A. Williamson (Auburn University, 1995) entered active duty as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Upon completing her master’s degree in nursing at the Catholic University of America, Williamson received a 24 | odk.org
direct appointment into the U.S. Air Force. Presently holding the rank of major, Williamson is the director of medical management at 316th Medical Group, Joint Base Andrews, in Washington, D.C. In this role, she provides policy and operational advice to the chief of medical staff on all population health and medical management activities for more than 20,000 beneficiaries. Williamson has received multiple major awards and decorations, including an Air Force Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with Two Devices, a Meritorious Unit Award, and a National Defense Service Medal.
securing the military technological support systems The modern military is highly dependent upon a range of technology platforms. Lauren Barrett Knausenberger (University of Maryland, College Park, 2002) joined the U.S. Air Force in 2017, working in the Department of Defense at the Pentagon. Her first position there was director of cyberspace innovation and chief transformation officer. In early 2021, Knausenberger was named the chief information officer for the Department of the Air Force, which includes the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. In this role, she leads 20,000 cyber operations personnel around the globe. She provides oversight of the Air Force’s information technology portfolio, including the IT investment strategy, encompassing everything from networks to cloud computing, enterprise policies, information resources management, innovation initiatives, and information assurance. Recently, Knausenberger received a FedScoop 50 award, honoring the most impactful leaders in the federal government, and a Distinguished Civilian Service medal, the highest civilian award given by the U.S. Department of Defense.
supporting diversity in military training and leadership With a diverse background that is both multilingual and multicultural, Adis M. Vila (Rollins College, 2010) began her government service as a White House fellow. During her career, she filled such admirable roles as assistant secretary of administration for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, director of the Office of International Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce, special assistant to the assistant secretary for Latin American Affairs at the State Department, and agency head of Florida’s Department of Administration. Today, she is the founder and president of the consulting firm Vila & Associates, based in Miami. One of her most challenging roles was her appointment in 2010 as the first chief diversity officer at the U.S. Air Force Academy, a position she held until 2013. In this position, her mission was to create a culture of inclusion within the academy. Vila established the USAF’s “Ambassadors of Inclusion” program, which was recognized with the Profile in Diversity Journal’s Innovation Award. About the need for diversity training and leadership within the military, Vila said, “If we as a Nation want to attract and retain the very best into the military, given that it remains a volunteer workforce, it must not only attract the very best among ALL Americans, but create an inclusive organizational culture wherein ALL Americans who take the solemn oath can succeed, feel appreciated, and remain engaged throughout their selfless service to our country. Anything less affects the strength of our military and our Nation’s ability to defend and protect us.”
leadership at the top A trailblazer in numerous ways, Gwendolyn Bingham (Virginia Military Institute, 2021) is a retired U.S. Army three-star general who served in a variety of positions for 38 years. From 2012-14 she was the first woman to serve as commanding general at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. In 2014, she became the first woman to
serve as commander of the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. Bingham’s other firsts include being the first female to serve as commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School and the Army’s 51st quartermaster general at Fort Lee, Virginia. From 2016-19, she served as the Army assistant chief of staff for installation management in the Pentagon. Bingham has received the Distinguished Service Medal, the 2019 Joint Women’s Leadership in Excellence Meritorious Service Award, and the 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. She is a 2022 inductee into the Army Women’s Foundation’s Hall of Fame and a 2022 Hall of Fame honoree selected by the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. Currently, Bingham is the vice chair of the Blue Star Families’ Board of Directors, supporting military and veteran service members and their families, including those of the fallen. Bingham said, “As an Army veteran and member of Blue Star Families’ (BSF) Board of Directors, I am continually grateful and proud of the work that BSF does in supporting and advocating for our service members of all branches, the Guard and Reserves, and their Families. I have seen first-hand the power of strengthening communities and military families through formidable partnerships and look forward to building upon these successes in future collaborative efforts.” O∆K is proud to celebrate all our members who have served our country in a variety of ways. Their outstanding leadership serves as an exemplary model. ● Sally K. Albrecht (Rollins College, 1975) is an accomplished choral composer, conductor, and music editor. She served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation from 2020-21. Photo top of page 22 courtesy of Wikipedia. Photo caption top of page 23 courtesy of The National Archives: the first group of African American members of the Women’s Army Corps assigned to serve overseas in 1945. The Circle • Summer 2022 | 25
JUDGE ADVOCATES Leading Through Justice by Amy A. Newman
“ the best and only safe road to honor, glory and true dignity is justice.”— George Washington
A
few days after becoming commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775, General George Washington saw a need for a lawyer to oversee the administration of military justice and thus ushered in a new organization of lawyers, legal administrators, and paralegals dedicated to seeking justice within the military. That organization became known as the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, better known as the JAG Corps. The JAG Corps is one of the oldest and largest law firms in the United States of America and is composed of dedicated attorneys serving as officers in all branches of the military who provide legal counsel to military personnel. They also represent the United States in civil cases. Omicron Delta Kappa is proud to profile just a few of our members who have served as judge advocates in the JAG Corps.
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Seek Leadership EXPERIENCE Col. Wayne E. Dillingham (Ret.) (Auburn University, 1975) attended Auburn University, graduating with honors in 1975. He then served five years as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, flying as a bombardier/navigator in the A-6 Intruder. Subsequently, Dillingham graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1983 and practiced for two years in a private law firm before returning to active duty as a U.S. Air Force JAG. Dillingham retired from military service with the rank of colonel. In his post-military career, he was an FBI attorney who focused on counterterrorism in the Bureau’s National Security Law Branch before being employed by Middle Tennessee State University in academic outreach. According to Dillingham, a JAG must be prepared for many professional and personal sacrifices. Some serve in combat zones or other hazardous environments, and many are away from home and family for extended periods, missing holidays and important family milestones. However, Dillingham observes that JAGs should never shrink from their duties because of these sacrifices but be thankful for the opportunity and work given. He notes that a JAG leader’s list of responsibilities is extensive. Among them are being responsible for a staff, including junior attorneys, noncommissioned officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees,
which may include foreign nationals of the host country when overseas. Ensuring the best possible work environment and helping others achieve their goals is vital, something Dillingham refers to as being a “servant-leader” – putting others ahead of self. He notes that the critical leadership trait for a JAG is integrity and said, “Once it is discovered that a leader lacks it, effective leadership becomes seriously degraded if not outright impossible.” Dillingham identified other essential leadership traits, including leading by example and embracing all leadership opportunities, even non-JAG assignments and duties. One non-JAG duty Dillingham embraced was attending the Army’s Jumpmaster School so he could better support the Special Operations Forces (SOF) to which he was assigned. “SOF are much more inclined to listen to a JAG’s advice after seeing that JAG perform as a jumpmaster and then jump with them.” The bottom line, as Dillingham states, “Seek every leadership experience possible – JAG or otherwise.”
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Maintaining a MILITARY BEARING Birmingham, Alabama, native Capt. Amy Quick Glenos (University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1995) comes from a family with a long tradition of military service. Her grandfathers fought in World War II, and her father retired as a major general from the Alabama National Guard. Glenos has a brother who is currently serving as an infantry officer with duties as a platoon leader and acting XO of his battalion, and her older brother also served as an infantryman and chaplain’s assistant. She explains that she wanted to continue her family’s legacy to serve a greater purpose by joining the military, and her career path led her to the JAG Corps. Glenos began her career journey after graduating cum laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). While at UAB, she competed on a full athletic scholarship on the school’s NCAA Division I women’s tennis team. Glenos then continued her education at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where she received her Juris Doctorate. She also served as the associate editor of the Cumberland Law Review. Glenos’ time in the JAG Corps began in 2016 when she was directly commissioned. She then attended
basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Officer Advanced Course at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Currently, Glenos is a reservist with the Alabama National Guard and is practicing labor and employment law with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC, a civilian law firm. When asked how her time in the JAG Corps has benefited her civilian career, Glenos stated that her military experience has been valuable to her civilian practice professionally and personally. Her fellow JAGs include state and federal judges and accomplished civil litigators who “know their way around the courtroom and have taught a lot about big picture trial strategy.” One skill she found personally constructive is the idea of “military bearing,” which teaches soldiers to maintain integrity and professionalism no matter how intense the fight. In 2017, Glenos received the German military’s Mountain Infantry Badge, which required rappelling and mountain climbing. She credits the training she received while in the military with giving her the confidence to take on increasingly challenging assignments.
Authentic Leadership Lies in Being BOLD Lt. Cmdr. Joanna M. Gonzales (Creighton University, 2007) obtained a Bachelor of Arts at Creighton University and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola New Orleans College of Law. Today, she is a member of the Navy JAG Corps, specializing in military justice, legal assistance, maritime, cyber, and intelligence law. Gonzales’ time in the JAG Corps has taken her overseas to Japan and South Korea. She noted how grateful she was to have been exposed to the unique history, culture, and food in these countries. Gonzales also recognizes the wonderful people she worked closely beside. She describes how important being involved in her community, commitment to service for others, and seeking out educational and mentorship opportunities were to her. Gonzales does not have set plans for her career, which has allowed her to remain flexible and happy with her assignments. For now, she intends to stay in the JAG Corps, where her experience has allowed her unique insights into the culture, work environment, and specialties of Navy personnel – qualities that she says are unique to military attorneys. If she were to transition to the civilian sector, Gonzales says she would continue in the Navy Reserves and practice law supporting the Department of Defense. Regardless of her career path, Gonzales says,“good leaders will adapt to those they lead” and that authentic leadership “lies in being bold.” The above are the personal view of Joanna Gonzales and not that of the U.S. Navy or Navy JAG Corps.
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“
Good leaders will adapt to those they lead. Authentic leadership lies in being bold. — Lt. Cmdr. Joanna M. Gonzales
”
Exercise Leadership at ALL Levels Col. Scott W. Stucky (Ret.) (Wichita State University, 1971) served as an Air Force JAG from 1973-78 and in the Reserve from 1982-2003. He continued his legal career by working as legislative counsel and principal legislative counsel to the Department of the Air Force from 1983-96. From 1996-2006, he served as general counsel and minority counsel to the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Stucky was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces by President George W. Bush and served for 15 years. Stucky’s higher education studies started at Wichita State University (WSU), where he received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in history. He described his collegiate persona as a medievalist focusing on 12th–century through 17th–century European history. At WSU, he began his time in the military when he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through ROTC. Stucky then earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and obtained a master’s degree in international law at George Washington University. In addition, Stucky holds a master’s degree in history from Trinity University and a diploma from the National War College. As a JAG, Stucky’s first assignment was in Texas. His second JAG assignment sent him to Thailand, where he did work in international law, offering legal assistance in foreign criminal jurisdictions, primarily dealing with U.S. military personnel and local police issues. Stucky says that if one goes to law school and wants a substantial amount of interesting work early, then the military is hard to beat. While he says civilian law can pay well, it can also be “uproariously dull.” However, Stucky says that the armed forces provide enormous opportunities to exercise leadership at all levels as the military is built around leadership. His advice for future leaders is, “Success is built upon first being a follower, then as a leader. Work hard and ask for responsibility if you can handle it.”
O∆K is proud to have members who served or are currently serving in the military as judge advocates, paving the road to justice by upholding the same principles of “honor, glory and true dignity” that George Washington spoke. ● Amy A. Newman is currently serving O∆K as a communications assistant and graphic designer. The Circle • Summer 2022 | 29
LIFTING UP:
Supporting U.S. Veterans Through
Counseling, Colors, and Connection
S
ervice in the military is all about leaders, but even leaders need help throughout their personal journeys and careers. At present, there are more than 45,000 nonprofits that support active-duty members of the military and veterans. And several Omicron Delta Kappa members are involved in these organizations or working on campuses for companies that support veterans.
Counseling Initiatives Many institutions of higher learning have Veterans Services offices. Some of these programs are much more comprehensive than others. At the University of Memphis, in early 2022, the school established the Rudd Institute for Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention (https:// www.ruddinstitute.memphis.edu/). The institute is named for M. David Rudd (University of Memphis, 2014), former president of the university and a veteran himself. During Rudd’s tenure, Memphis was named to the Military Friendly® Schools List for seven straight years. When on
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the University of Utah faculty, he was co-founder and founding scientific director of the National Center for Veterans Studies. Rudd’s research has focused on treatment strategies to prevent veteran suicide and how colleges and universities can best develop resources to support students who are actively or have previously served in the military. Another member with a special appreciation for military personnel’s counseling and mental health needs is Anthony F. Markel (University of Virginia, 1963). Markel, along with his brother Gary, is one of the founders of Operation Healing Forces (OHF). Since its founding, this organization has provided more than 200 weeklong therapeutic retreats for wounded special operators (Seals, Rangers, Green Berets, etc.) and their spouses, at large donated vacation homes around North America. OHF has hosted more than
850 special operation active duty and retired couples. Through this retreat program and a seven-figure “immediate cash needs” initiative, OHF is helping to mitigate the growing number of divorces and suicides in the Special Operations Forces community. Markel says, “Special operators and their spouses make amazing sacrifices on our behalf, and we are dedicated to helping them heal the inevitable scars that their service brings.”
Cahill is also the founder of the nonprofit Veteran Equine Therapy Specialists (VETS). His other organization provides equine-assisted psychotherapy to military veterans, first responders, LEO’s, and medical professionals experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). VETS’ participants work toward regaining control of their lives and reducing the instances of suicide. Cahill will join his two veteran therapists upon graduation in May, expanding services to more vets. He says, “Life becomes worth it again when you stop dealing and start healing from the invisible wounds you don’t think you have.”
Colors for Communities
Connection
Several nonprofit organizations use a particular color to help brand their mission. Gold Star families include spouses, parents, children, siblings, or others whose loved ones died in service to the country. The Blue Star Families organization, whose vice chair is Gwen Bingham (Virginia Military Institute, 2021), provides support for military spouses seeking employment, addresses the food insecurity military and veteran families may face, and offers a range of other resources. White Star families have lost a family member, whether active-duty military, first-responder, or veteran personnel, to suicide.
Many veterans will share that having solid employment is the first step in returning to a productive civilian life. According to the hiring platform Indeed, there are many benefits to companies that employ veterans. First, there are the financial benefits that occasionally support hiring former members of the military, including tax breaks, salary subsidies during on-the-job training, and salary reimbursement. Second, and more importantly, there are the professional skills veterans bring to the world of civilian work, including organization, leadership, accountability, and work ethic.
Matthew P. Cahill (Widener University, 2021) is not only the founder of Green Star Families, but he is also serving as the organization’s current president. This nonprofit is fighting for federal recognition of those families grieving any military loss associated with suicide. It is estimated that more than 20 veterans take their lives each day. The organization works with legislators and has put forth a bill to the 117th Congress (H.R. 5036), which proposes that a Green Star Service Banner join the ranks of the Gold and Blue Star Service Banners, with similar benefits afforded to those surviving family members.
Numerous companies that have connections to the Department of Defense hire veterans. However, other companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Dominion Energy, EMCOR, and Stryker Corporation also know the value of hiring those individuals who have served in the military. Col. (U.S. Army, Retired) Tom Hiebert (United States Military Academy, 2009) says, “Employers should know that Veterans bring tremendous leadership skills and capabilities, an incredible sense of loyalty and teamwork, and a strict adherence to values and ethics to the organizations they serve. They are also amazingly resilient and possess a can-do, never-say-quit attitude. Hiring Veterans is not just the right thing to do, but it is also the right business decision. All members of Omicron Delta Kappa can support the active-duty and veteran members of the United States Armed Forces. Connecting with a campus, employer, or nonprofit that provides services to this special population is a start. To learn more about veteran-supporting and other verified nonprofits, visit https://www.charitynavigator.org/. ● The Circle • Summer 2022 | 31
Johnson Center for Leadership Omicron Delta Kappa National Headquarters 224 McLaughlin Street Lexington, VA 24450-2002
After establishing Omicron Delta Kappa in 1914, several of the Society’s original 15 founders served in World War I. William Moseley Brown (Washington and Lee University, 1914) also served in World War II. As a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Brown, who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, was O∆K’s national president from 1922-25, and he twice served as the organization’s executive secretary. Since our founding, thousands of O∆K members have been leaders in the United States military. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of our members – past and present.
Your Leadership. Our Thanks.