Krise honored among ‘College Presidents Who Served’
Krise honored among ‘College Presidents Who Served’
Krise honored among ‘College Presidents Who Served’
10/8/2020
University of Guam President Thomas W. Krise is highlighted among the nation’s “College Presidents Who Served” in the October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.
The article highlights 65 military veterans who are now leading colleges, universities, and vocational schools, saying, “There’s never been a better time for schools to be led by military veterans,” than with the crisis of the current pandemic.
22 years in the Air Force
Krise retired from the military in 2005 as a lieutenant colonel following 22 years of service in the U.S. Air Force.
Krise attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where he earned his undergraduate degree in history and commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. He served as an ICBM launch officer in Minot, N.D., and then as faculty at the Air Force Academy and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
His family has a long history of military service as well — from his father, an Army officer who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, to others in his lineage serving in almost every war dating back to the American Revolution.
Following his military career, he continued to teach at the university level with a doctorate in English, eventually chairing the English Department at the University of Central Florida, becoming the dean of arts and sciences at the University of the Pacific in California, and serving as president of Pacific Lutheran University in Washington before coming to Guam in 2018 to serve as president of UOG.
“Historically, a big issue for the Air Force is the idea that flyers need to be in charge of flying units — that people who run things need to do the thing that the organization does,” Krise said.
Under this same philosophy, Krise has always continued to teach throughout his career as an academic administrator.
“I’m a better president if I’m teaching because I gain more insight about the organization, about the students, and about the faculty,” he said.
UOG named a Military Friendly School
The October issue of G.I. Jobs also highlights the University of Guam as one of this year’s “Military Friendly® Schools.” The annual list scores higher education institutions on their commitment to and success in creating opportunities for military veterans and their spouses. The University of Guam earned the silver designation in February of this year, meaning its score ranked within 20% of the top 10 schools in the small public schools category.
