NORFOLK, Va. --
A retired professor with the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Joint Forces Staff College here, has received the highest academic honor bestowed by the National Defense University.
The title of Professor Emeritus was presented to Dr. Charles "Chuck" Cunningham, a JCWS instructor during a recent graduation ceremony. The title is among the highest academic honors bestowed by the university.
"This is a great honor and I am extremely grateful," Dr. Cunningham said afterward.
Dr. Cunningham, a retired Air Force Lieutenant General, began his more than two-decade association with the college in 1990, when he signed on as one of the original senior fellows and he continued in that role until 2004, when he joined the faculty of the college’s Joint and Advanced Warfighting School. Seven years later, he took on the mantle of educating military officers in the JCWS’ Senior Program.
During his 22-year tenure at the College, Dr. Cunningham has accomplished a myriad of roles, ranging from developing course curriculum for the new joint professional military education program, being a founding member of the JAWS and chair of the Strategic Foundations Department, to establishing outreach programs with government and allied partners.
His experience and background has been instrumental in helping the college attain national prominence. Dr. Cunningham previously served as the Director, Defense Security Service before retiring in 2002. He also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, and Chief, Defense Intelligence Agency liaison, at the National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa, Canada in the mid to late 1990s.
This experience and background has helped the professor bring to fruition electives that address strategic challenges and irregular warfare. He has also tapped into his personal experience to inform students in the National Intelligence Community elective about its vital role in national security strategy and policy.
"This honor in a small way represents the respect, admiration, and appreciation that our College has for General Cunningham," said Maj. Gen. Joseph Ward, JFSC Commandant. "His enduring legacy ensures that future generations of America’s finest will continue to benefit from his mentorship, knowledge and experience."
The JFSC educates national security professionals to plan and execute joint, multinational, and interagency operations. JFSC has been in Norfolk since its establishment as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946.