Late professor gave so much, from his military service to the education of our youths

Georgia lost a good political scientist in December when Tom Dolan passed away. When I tell you a little more about him, you’ll see why. And it might make you rethink a little about professors.

Dolan died Dec. 11. His funeral services were held in St. George Anglican Church in Columbus, a different setting than those who fire off all kinds of social media posts that professors are nothing but godless communists.

Dolan had an impressive record of service. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in communications from a private college (something we had in common), he went into military service. Throughout his long, distinguished career, he worked for the Army, Navy and Air Force, as a member and an instructor. A family member related a story that Dolan once won a medal, but could never wear it in public because of the circumstances in which he earned it.

After his military days, Dolan knew he wasn’t done with giving back, so he worked to get his doctorate from Georgia State University in 1997, and taught there for many years. He didn’t just serve as an instructor. He was a mentor to many, including a 77-year-old non-traditional student. He was active in conferences (which is how we met).

His experience in the military enabled him to bring in many distinguished guests to the Columbus community, as such events were open to the public. And he always made sure that my students from LaGrange College were invited. It was a great field trip to take students to see experts in anti-terrorism, South Korea’s economy and trade relations, nuclear weapons and North Korea.

In fact, Dolan and I team up on an article for a magazine which documented his trip to that “hermit kingdom.” He provided us with some impressive photos had come away with, a dangerous endeavor given what happened to that American who was arrested and later died after his incarceration there.

I’m sure you are thinking, “Boy, he must have been a real exception.” But Dolan didn’t boast about his service all the time. You just didn’t know, unless you really got to know him. I know other professors who served in the armed forces, law enforcement and in other ways to the community which would impress you. And you might even wonder why they don’t call more attention to their service, to combat these misleading social media posts. But that’s not their style, like so many other veterans I’ve met.

“Dear George,” writes Clarence, the guardian angel from “It’s a Wonderful Life” who helps the protagonist George Bailey. “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings. Love, Clarence.” And that certainly fits the style of Tom Dolan and so many other professors who extend their service from the field to their college students. In death, he was surrounded by friends, as well as several in the military from Fort Benning, as well as grateful students and colleagues. He may not have been a wealthy man, but that Wednesday at his funeral, he was the richest man in town.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu. His Twitter account is JohnTures2.