MISSOULA – In addition to serving as the University of Montana’s 19th president, Seth Bodnar now also holds the title of major in the Montana Army National Guard.

Bodnar was sworn into the Montana Army National Guard by Maj. Gen. Matthew Quinn at Fort Harrison near Helena on Jan. 8.

UM President Seth Bodnar (UM Photo)
UM President Seth Bodnar (UM Photo)
loading...

Bodnar is a current member in the United States Army Reserves and is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Quinn and Bodnar met in 2018 and discussed Bodnar joining the Montana National Guard.

“Over the course of several meetings, we discussed the possibility of him transferring to the Montana National Guard,” said Quinn. “Today I am proud to announce the Montana Guard’s newest officer, Maj. Seth Bodnar.”

Montana has one of the highest per-capita veteran populations in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Bodnar said he is proud to join the state’s long history of service in the nation’s military.

“Since I left active duty in the U.S. Army, I've been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and I'm honored today to continue my service by transferring into the Montana National Guard and joining the long line of Montanans who have so bravely and selflessly served both our great state and this nation,” Bodnar said

Bodnar has led a well-decorated military career. He has served in the 101st Airborne Division and the U.S. Army’s First Special Forces Group. He has also instructed at West Point and taught as an assistant professor in the school’s Department of Social Sciences.

In 2016, the national Military Friendly organization named UM to its list of Military Friendly Schools, noting UM’s efforts to support student veterans and their families through a number of academic and financial services.

- UM News Service -

More From KSEN AM 1150