Four-Star Army General Visits Groton Classes
One of only twelve four-star generals in the U.S. Army visited Groton School on Wednesday, February 17, sharing his inspirational life story as well as tips for success and insights into world affairs.
Groton's headmaster met General Dennis L. Via last year and encouraged him to visit campus. The commander of the Army's Materiel Command, which coordinates all types of military supplies, spent the morning with two Groton history classes—American History, taught by Tom Lamont, and The Cold War: The Soviet Union and the World, taught by Ryan Spring.
Stressing the power of education, the general told students about the unexpected twists and turns in life. A student at Virginia's first integrated high school, he didn't consider college until a teacher encouraged him. Though he was a strong student, he harbored doubts. "He had to convince me that I could make it through college," General Via said of the teacher. At the ceremony promoting Via to a four-star general in 2012, that teacher was an honored guest. "He saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. That's what teachers do," the general said, adding, "Don't forget people who help you along the way."
General Via joined the Army—partly lured by the chance to take his first plane ride—and soon found himself responsible for forty men and women from all over the U.S. "I had to learn about leadership at twenty-two years old," he said. "That's pretty daunting." He now leads about 65,000 people, not including up to 80,000 contract personnel.
Success, he told students, is a combination of preparation and opportunity. He encouraged students to pursue something they feel passionate about, and touched on a variety of other topics, including the perils of social media and the many job applicants who were denied security clearance (and jobs) because of something they posted online.
After his presentation, General Via answered questions from students that touched on cyberwarfare, how well branches of the military work together, the need to regain America's technological advantage, and Russia aggression in Ukraine.
"General Via's visit affirmed the importance of acquiring knowledge and mastering complexity," said Headmaster Temba Maqubela, who attended the Cold War class. "He came to Groton and inspired all those with whom he interacted—adults and children alike."
Ultimately, the overriding theme of the visit was about service. The general concluded Mr. Spring's class by telling students, "Put a lot of thought into what you are going to do to make a difference in the world. What are you going to do for others—not just for yourself, for others?"
Read the U.S. Army's coverage of General Via's visit to Groton.
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