November 13, 2010

The Commanding General of the United States Army Reserves, LTG Jack Stultz (Class of '74) was one of many alumni to grace the Davidson College campus for Homecoming Weekend on November 12-13, 2010. After making an office call with President Tom Ross, LTG Stultz came to share lessons in leadership and opportunities within the Army Reserves with current Davidson and UNC-Charlotte Army ROTC students. Immediately after talking to the 49er Battalion Cadets, he talked about how he makes tough decisions as the Commanding General with students in the Leadership Fellows program under the Chidsey Center for Leadership Development. Both of these events took place in the historic Philanthropic Hall, located in the center of Davidson College. Throughout his speaking engagements, LTG Stultz credited his Davidson education for much of his success.

The Army ROTC Cadets were also afforded the opportunity for a question and answer session with the General on current topics and they received his worthy advice. He described the restructuring of the Army Reserve being his greatest challenge and accomplishment turning it from a strategic to an operational organization to support the Global War on Terrorism. He gave commemorative coins (a long standing Army leadership tradition for excellence) to deserving Cadets selected by Senior Military Science Instructor, Major (Retired) Rick Nash.

On Friday night, LTG Stultz was invited to the Class of 1950 dinner, where he ran into and was able to spend the evening with his own Davidson Football coach, Coach Fagg. On Saturday, he hosted an intimate group discussion during breakfast with the Davidson Army ROTC Cadets and select cadre in the Dupont Room in Vail Commons. LTG Stultz opened up the floor for any Cadet to express their interests and present questions, and many of the questions led to some great conversations.

For the big event, the Homecoming Football Game, LTG Stultz was offered the opportunity to head into the locker room where he gave a very motivational speech focusing on the Warrior Ethos and how each of the football team members could apply similar ethos as they fought for victory during the game. Afterwards, he joined the crowd to cheer on the home team for the seniors' last home game. LTG Stultz was himself a football player, in addition to an Army ROTC Cadet during his tenure at Davidson College.

Although it was a quick two days, it appeared LTG Stultz enjoyed being back at his Alma Mater, watching his old college football team play, and certainly enjoying the sunny afternoon with fellow soldiers and their families just after Veteran's Day.