Austin Peay's Nine Stars: The Generals Who Help The University Excel
Austin Peay's Nine Stars:
The Generals Who Help The University Excel
Last fall, outgoing Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam visited Austin Peay and asked the school鈥檚 Board of Trustees what he should tell his successor about the University. Don Jenkins, a trustee, immediately mentioned Austin Peay鈥檚 military focus.
鈥淭his is a very military-friendly town, but it鈥檚 an incredibly military-friendly college,鈥 he said.
Jenkins wasn鈥檛 exaggerating. With more than 2,650 military-connected students, Austin Peay is Tennessee鈥檚 leading provider of higher education to military-affiliated students. These individuals are a key part of the University鈥檚 culture, and in recent years, Austin Peay officials have strategically recruited former top-level military leaders to ensure this culture remains secure for generations to come.
鈥淲e take this responsibility to the military seriously,鈥 Alisa White, APSU president, said. 鈥淎nd if you鈥檙e counting stars, between Gen. (Robin) Mealer and Gen. (Gary) Luck, we have five on the board. Additionally, with Gen. (Ronald) Bailey and Gen. (Scott) Brower on our leadership team, we have four stars. So we have nine stars.鈥
The Generals
Name: (Ret.) Gen. Gary Luck
Stars: Four
Previous Position: Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command (Korea)/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea
Current Position: APSU trustee
鈥淭he instincts, insights and intuition honed via that extensive experience has more than prepared me to take on this responsibility. Further, the atmospherics of being part of such a viable institution as APSU is just plain exciting.鈥
Name: (Ret.) Brig. Gen. Robin Mealer ('00)
Stars: One
Previous Position: Chief of the Force Management and Integration Division
Current Position: APSU trustee
鈥淎ustin Peay State University has contributed much to me both personally, in achieving my degree, and professionally in the advancement and support of the Army ROTC program. This is my opportunity to reciprocate."
Name: (Ret.) Brig. Gen. Scott Brower
Stars: One
Previous Position: Deputy commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division
Current Position: Military adviser in residence
鈥淲ith my connection to Fort Campbell, understanding of the importance of higher education for our soldiers and family members, and the unique challenges that sometimes face military-affiliated students, I truly believe that I can help make a difference for these students and our University, as well as our local communities.鈥
Name: (Ret.) Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey ('77)
Stars: Three
Previous Position: Deputy commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations for the Marine Corps
Current Position: Vice president for external affairs
鈥淥ver the years, I鈥檝e traveled upon three ships of service: leadership, relationship and mentorship. I will continue this at APSU.鈥
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Austin Peay State University (APSU) has announced six inductees into the APSU Governors Military Hall of Fame Class of 2023, and they will be honored during a reception and induction dinner on Nov. 10 in the Morgan University Center ballroom.
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Austin Peay State University (APSU) has formed a new division to unify its military-affiliated student efforts. The Military and Veterans Affairs division is a reorganization to bring the University's military focus under one umbrella, establishing a new vice president position that will be assumed by retired Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, who has served as the University's military advisor in residence for the last two years.
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