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LTC Cumbie to Retire from U.S. Army; New Job in Development

April 12, 2006

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MACOMB, IL - - ItÂ’s time for a change of duty for Western Illinois UniversityÂ’s military science department chair Lieutenant Colonel Michael Cumbie.

May 12 is the day LTC Cumbie administers the Oath of Office to WIU ROTC commissionees on their first day as officers (second lieutenants) in the U.S. Army. It will also be LTC CumbieÂ’s last duty day after 23 years and 7 months of service in the U.S. Army.

However, he has accepted a new position as development officer in the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Western, which he will start July 1.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue my professional life at Western and hopefully add value to the great work already underway in the College of Fine Arts and Communication,” Cumbie said.

Cumbie, who became the 11th professor of military science of Western’s nationally recognized 38-year old program in July 2001, will officially retire from the department Aug. 1 as the longest-serving professor. Under his command, Western’s Bulldog Battalion was named the best large program in the 10th Brigade – headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and including 22 programs in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma – and a top 15 percent school in all of Cadet Command’s 272 programs in 2005. Also during his tenure, only seven non-military universities across the nation produced more Army officers than Western.

The departmentÂ’s longstanding tradition of excellence includes having been named the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Award for the best ROTC battalion in the Midwest in 1994, 2001 and 2002.

“I’m a fortunate person to have served the nation for more than 23 years. It’s also been an enormously gratifying past five years to participate in the critically important work of developing the Army’s officer corps,” Cumbie said.

“I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the leadership, faculty and staff at Western – all of whom significantly contribute to the success and national recognition of the WIU ROTC program. I’m also grateful to our cadre and cadets for their tremendous dedication and professionalism,” he added.

“LTC Cumbie has provided exemplary leadership to the department of military science since his appointment in 2001. He will provide the same caliber of service and leadership in his next position as the development officer for COFAC,” said Bonnie Smith-Skripps, dean of the College of Education and Human Services.

Cumbie came to WIU in 2001 from a tour as Chief of Counterintelligence with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO's military headquarters in Belgium. He served four tours of duty in Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany twice; served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and was chief of the NATO battle damage assessment cell during the Alliance's 1999 bombing mission in the Kosovo campaign.

In 1996 LTC Cumbie returned to his home state of Georgia for a 10-month tour as senior intelligence officer for the 10,000-member Department of Defense task force providing security support for the Atlanta Olympic Games.

In his new role as development officer in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC), Cumbie will work closely with college administration, the University foundation and development office and the vice president for advancement and public services to cultivate, solicit and provide stewardship options to University donors. COFAC includes the departments of art, broadcasting, communication and theatre and dance; the School of Music; Tri States Public Radio; the Performing Arts Society; the Bureau of Cultural Affairs; and University Television.

"I speak for myself and for the entire administrative team in the College of Fine Arts and Communication by saying that we are fortunate to have such a competent, personable, and vastly experienced individual to help us reach our development goals,” said Dean Paul Kreider. “Mick Cumbie is a welcomed addition to the college."

LTC Cumbie earned a business degree and his Army commission through the ROTC program at Clemson (1982); and he earned a master of human relations degree from the University of Oklahoma (2000).

Major Steve Rosson will join the WIU community this summer as the new chair and professor of military science, according to Smith-Skripps.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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