"This is a Longwood moment in time," said Rector of the Longwood University Board of Visitors (BOV), Dr. Helen Warriner-Burke, class of '56. Warriner-Burke and the BOV formally announced 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at a special session that Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan would succeed Dr. Patricia Cormier as the 25th president of Longwood University. Finnegan, who currently serves as dean of the Academic Board at the United States Military Academy (USMA) will assume the office of president on July 1, 2010. He has been at his current post since 2005. Prior to that, he was professor and head of West Point's Department of Law for six years.
The BOV filed in through the East Blackwell Hall doors with Finnegan near the end of the line. Members of the BOV present at Blackwell were Jane Brooke, Otis Brown, John Daniel, Robert Frye, Sr, Chin Han Kim, Ripon LaRoche, and Susan Soza. John Adams Jr. and Rita Hughes called in via phone conference.
The standing ovation began right when the first eyes saw Longwood's president-elect. "After 14 years, this time has come again," said Warriner-Burke. The Honorable Otis Brown made the motion to appoint Finnegan as new president. It was then seconded. Warriner-Burke then made the announcement that is her "great privilege" to announce him as president-elect.
Finnegan jokingly said after the kind words were spoken, "I sincerely appreciate them and I think my mother believe them." His mother was of the many distinguished family members and guests in attendance. Finnegan choked up when he talked about his sister Rosaleen, a 1976 graduate of Longwood.
He met with the BOV ten days ago in a closed session. "Together, we are thrilled about spending time at Longwood University," he said when talking about his wife, Joan. "One of the [BOV] members said 'I want her at Longwood. It's okay if he comes along too,'" said Finnegan when commenting on his wife and what she plans to bring to the campus as first lady.
He said, "We are delighted to come home to Longwood. The people are so nice and they care so much about their school." During his incognito visit to the campus last semester, Finnegan said the student's feelings about the school struck him as "infectious."
Finnegan said during his open forum on Feb. 11, "I was taken by Longwood's mission to create citizen leaders. My dad was a great example of a citizen leader, and so were my mom and my family. Using your talents in the service of others wasn't something that we really talked about a lot, but we lived it, and that legacy helped shape who I am and who I've become."
Finnegan was born in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1949, and was appointed to the United States Military Academy in 1967. As a cadet, he was the chairman of the school's Honor Committee and head manager of the Army football team. He was assigned as Battalion Adjutant, 3/39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington, after graduate school. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School in 1979. He also has a B.S. degree from USMA and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard.
During his time at law school, he was a member and editor of the Law Review and elected to the Order of the Coif. Finnegan's military education includes but is not limited to the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School, Judge Advocate Officer Basic, the Army Command and the Army War College. His also is the owner of a Bronze Star, and the Legion of Merit.
As a member of the Virginia Bar, Finnegan has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He has published articles in the Virginia Law Review and the Military Law Review and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society.
Cormier, quite enthusiastic about the president-elect, said, "He will bring a new and fresh spirit to the challenges the institution will face in the future." She said that her husband, Ray, could not attend the announcement because he is in Florida awaiting their daughter's new son. She said they have decided to name the baby Patrick, noting Finnegan would have yet another tie to the university.
"There is no following in the footprints or building upon what I've done," said Cormier. She told Finnegan to take his own approach at building onto Longwood and making it an even better place for students. Cormier, who ends her tenure on June 30, 2010, has directed the university through its transformation into NCAA Division-I reclassification, the change from a college to a nationally recognized university, and through a major fire at Ruffner Hall in 2001.
"General Finnegan.was not looking for a job," stated Warriner-Burke. "He met all of the criteria that we had announced to guide the search. Having a national and international reputation, he brings additional experiences that were unanticipated."
"This is one of the best days of my life," said Finnegan with a smile. "It's just a thrill to be here. I'm just as excited as anyone else here."
"I think he'll do great things for Longwood and hope he is around for a long time," said senior Rob Morley.
Freshman Shannon Rosedale said, "He has the right credentials and I look forward to seeing what he does with our school." She also said that having a military background is was beneficial and impressive.
"I am so happy that this was a successful search. Patrick Finnegan is the right person at the right time for Longwood, said Cormier. "In my mind, he is a winner.
