Huizenga School Student Receives MacArthur Leadership Award

President George W. Bush and MacArthur Leadership Award recipient Captain David L. Jerkins.

Captain David L. Jerkins, a MBA student at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, and a combat infantry officer in Alpha Company, Warrior Transition Unit in Fort Stewart, Georgia, was recently awarded the MacArthur Leadership Award for demonstrating the ideals for which General Douglas MacArthur stood: Duty, Honor and Country.

Captain Jerkins competed against nominees from the US Army, Army National Guard and the US Army Reserve. As an award recipient, he attended a special ceremony and an informal reception sponsored by the Chief Staff of the Army (CSA) at the Pentagon, and received a memorandum of commendation from the CSA for placement in their official military personnel files. He also received a gold watch with the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) logo and an engraved bronze bust of General MacArthur from the MacArthur Foundation. Additionally, his name is engraved in gold/brass in General MacArthur Hall.

(L to R) Retired Admiral Paul Edward Tobin, Jr., Captain Jerkins and General George William Casey, Jr, Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

However, Captain Jerkins greatest thrill was meeting President George W. Bush, at the Commander-in-Chief’s personal request.
 
Admitting that he was humbled and “in awe,” Captain Jerkins said, “As I prepare and wait for my orders for another tour in Iraq as a Combat Infantry Officer, I would like again to thank the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship for providing me with the tools and knowledge to lead.”

The soldier/student, whose education was interrupted twice when he was called to active duty - in 2004 and 2006 - expects to finish his MBA in December.