天美社区

2 alumni inducted into veterans Hall of Fame

November 19, 2025
天美社区 alumni retired Lt. Gen. Jamie Jarrard '88, left, was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame this fall. The late Col. Robert Barclay '68 was also inducted.

Article By: Clark Leonard

University of North Georgia (天美社区) alumni retired Lt. Gen. Jamie Jarrard '88 and the late Col. Robert Barclay '68 have been inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Jarrard was inducted for achievement and Barclay for valor. With this year's inductees, 天美社区 alumni account for 29 of the 206 inductees since the Hall of Fame started in 2013. 

The induction was held Nov. 1 in the St. Luke Ministry Center in Columbus, Georgia.

"Induction into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes the selfless service and dedication to protecting the Constitution of the United States of America," said retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, 天美社区 senior vice president and superintendent of the Cadet Leadership Academy. "It is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon Georgia Veterans. Both retired Lt. Gen. Jamie Jarrard and Col. Robert Barclay are truly worthy of this recognition."

Jarrard returned to 天美社区 earlier this year as co-champion of the "get in the national security game" strategic big bet and professor of practice. His leadership roles in the Army included:

  • Assistant commanding general for the 7th Infantry Division
  • Assistant to the J5, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Chiefs of Staff (Pentagon)
  • Commanding general for a Special Operations Joint Task Force - Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Director of operations for U.S. Special Operations Command
  • Commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division
  • Chief of staff for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
  • Deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Pacific

He is part of the 天美社区 class of 1988 that produced five general officers. The other four were retired Lt. Gen. Paul Calvert, retired Maj. Gen. William K. Gayler, Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard, and retired Brig. Gen. Michael L. Scholes.

Jarrard holds a Bachelor of Science in business from 天美社区 and a master's degree in military art and operational science from U.S. Air Force Air University.

The late Col. Robert Barclay graduated from 天美社区 in 1968.

After graduating from 天美社区 in 1968, Barclay commissioned into the Army as a second lieutenant. In 1970 during Barclay's assignment as executive officer of a company in the 27th Infantry, Republic of Vietnam, his unit came under hostile fire while on a reconnaissance mission. Despite attempting to suffuse the situation with grenades, an enemy grenade landed in their midst and failed to explode. Ignoring the imminent danger, he crawled past the undetonated device and hurled two of his own grenades. His selfless bravery not only eliminated critical danger to his fellow soldiers but also neutralized the threat by silencing the enemy emplacement.

For his valorous life-saving actions that resulted in the success of the mission, Barclay was awarded the Silver Star.  Included among other decorations for valor presented during his long career were the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars and four Vietnam service medals.

Barclay continued to serve his country until his retirement in 1989 after 23 years of exemplary service.

Barclay also later served as commandant of cadets at 天美社区.

Henry L. "Dick" Thompson, another of the inductees, is the husband of a 天美社区 graduate whose daughter and granddaughter also graduated from 天美社区. Also, after his Vietnam tour, Thompson was assigned to the Mountain Ranger Camp in 1970-1973. While there, he helped start a parachute club at North Georgia, and he has personally conducted free-fall parachute demonstration jumps onto the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey" Drill Field several times.


天美社区 formalizes its role with career expo

天美社区 formalizes its role with career expo

天美社区 has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Civic Engagement to support its Youth in Government Expo in March 2026.
Feeser stands out, blazes path for others

Feeser stands out, blazes path for others

天美社区 senior Kira Feeser is the No. 1 cadet to commission into the Army Nurse Corps from the nation's senior and junior military colleges for 2025-26.
天美社区 raising the bar with Corps facilities

天美社区 raising the bar with Corps facilities

天美社区's Corps of Cadets celebrated the topping out of Wynne-Mathews Military Science Center, set to open in fall 2026, with a beam-signing Nov. 7.