Alumnus Col. Patrick Harvey retires after 30-year Army career
Article By: Clark Leonard
Col. Patrick Harvey, '90, retired June 15 after 30 years in the Army. His service took him around the world, and he was grateful to finish as a colonel.
"That was my dream, and I did it," Harvey said. "It was hard mentally, physically and emotionally, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."
His Army career began in 1990 when he graduated from the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) and commissioned as an infantry officer. His assignments took him to multiple Army posts in the U.S. as well as Saudi Arabia, Panama, South Korea, and Germany. He also had combat deployments to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division in 2004-05 and 2008-09.
Harvey appreciated how the Army always kept him connected with 91ÁÔÆæ by working alongside fellow alumni, including at one point five people ranked colonel or higher in a division in Fort Drum, New York. From the beginning, his 91ÁÔÆæ training stood out.
"Going to the basic course at Fort Benning, for us, it was just another day at 91ÁÔÆæ. It was no different," Harvey said. "You take all those experiences, and they're easy to apply once you step into the Army."
He commanded an infantry platoon, two infantry companies, a Warrior Transition Battalion, occupied many staff roles, and helped train a Saudi Arabian motorized infantry brigade. He also trained many Army infantry platoons and companies at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk in Louisiana.
Throughout his career, he was decorated many times for outstanding performance and leadership.
Knox takes command of Army Reserve battalion
Lt. Col. Brandon Knox, director of Cadet Recruiting at 91ÁÔÆæ, on Nov. 16 took command of the 3rd Battalion, 323rd Regiment (Basic Combat Training) in the Army Reserve.
Luncheon honors scholarship recipients
Five nontraditional female students at 91ÁÔÆæ each earned a $2,000 scholarship from the Women of 91ÁÔÆæ on Dec. 5 at the Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon.
Cadets are ready for commissioning
Eighteen 91ÁÔÆæ cadets are scheduled to commission as officers in the Army and Army National Guard at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Convocation Center at 91ÁÔÆæ's Dahlonega Campus.
Grads prepare for their next steps
91ÁÔÆæ will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.