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Leadership professor and student organization advisor Douglas Bennett recognizes veterans’ contributions and leadership excellence.

Douglas Bennett, a Leeds School of Business professor and West Point graduate with a storied military career himself, has taught hundreds of student veterans over his career. Through the years his students, some of whom even became colleagues, have come to rely on him for understanding what it means to serve their country. 

In Spring 2023, Bennett decided to honor his fellow patriots by establishing the Leeds Student Veteran Leadership Award in memory of a dear friend, whose demeanor was characterized by his allegiance to the priorities of ‘Duty, Honor and Country.’

“He was a remarkable patriot,” Bennett said. “I want to recognize his contributions to our country through this annual award.”

The award will celebrate his friend and former colleague’s memory by providing recognition of student veterans who during their years of academic pursuit at Leeds have demonstrated the qualities of leadership excellence.

“As a Leadership professor and advisor to the Leeds Student Veterans undergraduate and graduate organizations, I believe deeply that our Leeds veterans through their leadership excellence have contributed unselfishly in service to the people of our nation,” said Bennett. “We need to recognize them.”

United States Marine Corps veteran Brendan Mulcahy (RelEst’24) received the inaugural $2,000 award in May 2023. The award will be given annually as determined through a committee, including Bennett, Leeds faculty and veterans from the University of Colorado Boulder community.

“It is my strong belief that those who have worn the uniform as members of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, the Space Force and the Marine Corps have stood and fought for the precious rights all Americans are given,” said Bennett. “A member of the Armed Forces understands those leadership qualities of assignability, responsibility and accountability when carrying out their assigned duties…we can depend on them.” 

Leeds is proud to have a strong veterans community with 125 students who are veterans across business programs.

To those students, Bennett has a special message: “I am proud of them and have been honored to serve with them as it has been an honor to serve my country.”