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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
MBA Graduate Serves as Military Commander in Baghdad
Major John D. Watson
Major John D. Watson, a 2010 MBA graduate from NSU’s Huizenga Business School, is proudly serving our nation as a Commander of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry – Rough Riders – in the U.S. Army. Since October 2010, Major Watson has been responsible for training and mobilizing a 47-soldier cavalry troop in Baghdad, Iraq.
The road to Watson’s academic successes began in 2003, when he enrolled in the Huizenga Business School’s online MBA program while stationed in Korea. Prior to his enrollment in the MBA program, Watson graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1999 and entered active service in the Army.
Watson eventually left active duty in 2004 and began working as the maintenance leader for Owens Corning in Tallmadge, Ohio. He then returned to the Reserves in 2008 and continued his online studies while working full-time, graduating in April 2010. His more than 7 years of military experience led to Watson’s promotion to the rank of Major in June of 2010.
Major John D. Watson and the Rough Riders cavalry troop in Iraq
“I thought that the MBA program was, by far, the most flexible when it came to working around a busy schedule,” said Watson. “The courses were more about showing critical thinking and understanding than they were about checking blocks.”
During his academic experience at NSU, Watson was honored to be nominated and accepted into Sigma Beta Delta. He was so impressed with NSU’s MBA program that he plans to return and earn his Master of Science in Leadership degree from the Huizenga Business School. Watson’s leadership, academic, military, professional and personal experiences have created an unparalleled combination for success and career opportunities, and we are proud to count him among our alumni.