A decorated captain in the U.S. Army National Guard, George Anderson is pursuing another high distinction after military retirement—a PhD in Organization and Management.
Shortly after beginning his PhD program at Capella, Anderson, then a business instructor at Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania, had to put his professional and academic work on hold after being sent to Jordan on a 10-month deployment. He resumed his studies upon his return, but was soon issued a second deployment order, this time to learn Farsi and Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.
Anderson gives credit to Capella for providing him with the support he needed to stay committed to his degree program during his military leaves of absence.
“I kept coming back because I have a long-term goal, and I need a PhD to do it,” he says.
Anderson is ever closer to his ultimate objective—a book in which he attempts to redefine the concept of war. “Political change is not brought about by violence,” he says. “I want people to understand that a cup of coffee can be a powerful weapon. Even more than a rifle.”
Academic pursuits have had positive impacts on Anderson's professional goals as well. Recently promoted to associate professor at Valley Forge Military Academy and College, Anderson uses the principles he learned in his course work to enhance the school's position on recruiting in an effort to help Valley Forge achieve its own long-term goal—becoming a four-year institution with a much larger and more sustainable student population.
“Like Capella, we want to provide a quality education. We also want to put into America thousands of young men and women citizens who understand their moral obligation to society,” he says. “If I can help do that, in terms of growing Valley Forge using what I learned at Capella and writing a book that changes the way people think about war, my PhD will have paid for itself.”
Armed with years of leadership experience and the knowledge gained during his time at Capella, Anderson is helping to ensure that Valley Forge Military Academy and College is not merely existing, but prospering.