Patrick Finnegan

Patrick Finnegan (September 20, 1949 – July 2, 2018) was a United States Army brigadier general, and the president of Longwood University. Finnegan served 39 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2010 after serving as the 12th dean of the Academic Board at the U.S. Military Academy. Following his Army career, he was appointed as the 25th president of Longwood University in 2010. Finnegan stepped down as president in 2012 for health reasons and returned to private life.

Early life and family

Born in Fukuoka, Japan, to a military family, Finnegan spent most of his childhood moving across the globe. Finnegan's father, Col. John B. Finnegan, U.S. Army (Ret.), served in the Army for 32 years. Following graduation, Finnegan was selected to attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he earned a Master of Public Administration, graduating in 1973. Following Fort Lewis, he served as Headquarters Company Commander, U.S. Army Security Agency, Material Support Command at Vint Hill Farms Station in Virginia from 1975 to 1976. Finnegan graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1979. While serving as the dean, Finnegan traveled to Hollywood with several FBI interrogators to voice concerns to the producers of the hit TV series 24. Finnegan expressed concerns that featuring torture on the TV series could damage the international image of the United States, and might sway public opinion in favor of torture as a tactic in war. Finnegan, along with several others at the meeting, urged the producers to limit the use of torture in the TV series. While serving as dean, West Point received numerous accolades, including being ranked the #1 Public College in the Nation by Forbes magazine and the best Public Liberal Arts College by the Princeton Review. Finnegan continued in his post as dean until he announced his retirement from active duty in 2010. While serving as president, Finnegan undertook several initiatives that included the creation of an academic strategic plan that was collaborated campus-wide, securing Longwood University's membership in the NCAA Division I Big South Conference, and creating an Office of Sponsored Programs and Research to aide in funding for faculty research projects. In 2012, citing health reasons, Finnegan announced he would be stepping down as president.

Death In July 2018, Finnegan died of an apparent heart attack.

Awards and decorations Source: U.S. military decorationsArmy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal (with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster)Legion of MeritBronze StarMeritorious Service Medal (with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters)Army Commendation MedalArmy Achievement Medal (with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters)U.S. unit awardsJoint Meritorious Unit Award (with 1 oak leaf cluster)U.S. service (campaign) medals and service and training ribbonsNational Defense Service Medal (with 2 service stars)Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 service stars)Global War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalArmy Service RibbonArmy Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral "2")Foreign awardsKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)U.S. badges, patches and tabs 100 px Parachutist Badge 100 px XVIII Airborne Corps worn as his Combat Service Identification Badge 100 px Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army Regiment worn as his Distinctive Unit Insignia 75px1 Overseas Service Bar