Patrick Finnegan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Finnegan
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General Finnegan's portrait while serving as West Point's Academic Dean in 2010
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| 25th President of Longwood University | |
| In office October 22, 2010 – May 16, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Dr. Patricia Picard Cormier |
| Succeeded by | W. Taylor Reveley IV |
| 12th Dean of United States Military Academy | |
| In office July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2010 |
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| Succeeded by | Timothy Trainor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1949 Fukuoka, Japan |
| Died | July 2, 2018 (aged 68) |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Spouse | Joan |
| Education | U.S. Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (MPA) University of Virginia (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1971–2010 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | Dean of Academic Board, U.S. Military Academy |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal (3) |
Patrick Finnegan (September 20, 1949 – July 2, 2018) was a United States Army Brigadier General. He also served as the president of Longwood University. General Finnegan spent 39 years in the U.S. Army. He retired in 2010 after being the 12th Dean of the Academic Board at the U.S. Military Academy. After his Army career, he became the 25th President of Longwood University in 2010. He stepped down in 2012 due to health reasons.
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Early Life and Education
Patrick Finnegan was born in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1949. His father was also in the military. Because of this, Patrick moved around the world a lot as a child. He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1967.
After high school, he went to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. While he was a student there, he led the Honor Committee. He was also the manager of the Army Black Knights football team. Finnegan finished West Point in 1971. He then became an officer in the U.S. Army.
Military Career Highlights
General Finnegan had an amazing career in the Army. He served for over 39 years. He worked as an infantry officer, an intelligence officer, and an Army lawyer. The Army lawyers are part of the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG).
After West Point, Finnegan studied at Harvard University. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1973. He also went to Airborne School. His first Army job was at Fort Lewis in Washington.
Finnegan later became an Army lawyer. He studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law. He graduated with a law degree in 1979. He then worked as a military lawyer in Germany. He also taught criminal law at the Army's legal school.
During the Gulf War, Finnegan helped advise military leaders. He worked with the XVIII Airborne Corps and Joint Special Operations Command. He also advised the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Later, he was the main legal advisor for the United States European Command in Germany.
In 1998, Finnegan returned to West Point. He became the Staff Judge Advocate there. He also taught law as a professor. In 2005, he became a Brigadier General. He was chosen to be the 12th Dean of the Academic Board at West Point. This meant he was in charge of all the teaching and learning at the academy.
While Dean, Finnegan visited Hollywood. He talked to the producers of the TV show 24. He was worried that showing torture on TV could make people think it was okay. He asked them to limit how much torture was shown. During his time as Dean, West Point received many awards. It was named a top public college by Forbes magazine. Finnegan retired from the Army in 2010.
Leading Longwood University
In 2010, Longwood University chose Finnegan as its 25th President. As President, he started many new projects. He helped create a plan for academics across the campus. He also helped Longwood University join the NCAA Division I Big South Conference for sports. He also created an office to help get funding for teacher research projects. In 2012, Finnegan announced he would step down. He left his role as President for health reasons.
Death
Patrick Finnegan passed away in July 2018. He died from a heart attack.
Awards and Decorations
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