Major Turner (in uniform) poses with some of his Full-Time MBA friends.

I must follow them. I am their leader.
~ Andrew Bonar Law, 1858-1923

Major John Turner is my first friend from the U.S. Military. And the first Major I have ever known.  And one of the most humble persons I have ever met. And one of the funniest persons I have ever come across. And one of the more large-hearted human beings I have ever been in the company of.

So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that when I witnessed the ceremony tonight wherein he was promoted from the rank of Captain to Major in the U.S. Army, I was deeply humbled. And uniquely inspired. And left in awe. And moved to tears.

To be in our MBA class with John is like going to a party and still having an educational experience. It’s fun, it’s lively, it’s exciting, it’s adventurous. But it’s also listening to heroic tales I have never heard before, being part of a life I have never known before, seeing that which I have never seen before. It’s a highly educational journey for me, a first-hand sharing of experiential knowledge by a man who can tie his military training with the business education we are all receiving. I think this ability to synthesize two seemingly different worlds into one is a unique trait in itself, one that has all the hallmarks of a great leader, a visionary.

I find it an amazing stroke of my good fortune that despite being offered admission to competitive MBA programs better known than ours, John chose to attend William & Mary in the same cohort as I am. Because I take it as my good luck that I have known this amazingly humble yet distinguished leader, who never fails to entertain a group with his humor, or fondly remember all his men still fighting at the battle lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I salute you, Major John Turner. It is my deep honor to be your friend.

May you continue to serve the Constitution of the United States and its people as the much-loved, much-admired and much-respected leader that you already are.