Col. Larry J. Godfrey will deliver the keynote address at the 130th
Commencement ceremony at Glenville State College this Saturday.
A native of Calhoun
County, Godfrey will speak to the over 300 graduates of the Class of 2004, their families,
friends and faculty, as well as GSC alumni and community members.
A native of Grantsville, W.Va., Godfrey was a 1974 graduate of GSC. Upon his graduation from
Calhoun County High School in 1967, Colonel Godfrey enlisted in the United States Army. After
completing his training to qualify as a Special Forces Weapons Specialist, Col. Godfrey
deployed to the Republic of Vietnam where he served with the 5th Special Forces group and F
Company, 75th Rangers as a reconnaissance team leader.
After being severely wounded in action, then Staff Sergeant Godfrey returned to the United
States to recover from his injuries. He was discharged from the Army in 1970 and immediately
enrolled in college.
Following his graduation, Magna Cum Laude, from GSC, with majors in both Chemistry and
Biology, Colonel Godfrey attended West Virginia University where he received his Medical
Doctorate degree in 1978. After graduation, he returned to active duty with the Army,
receiving a direct commission as a Captain.
Ultimately receiving his current rank, Col. Godfrey is trained in Anatomic, Clinical, and
Forensic Pathology, Aerospace medicine and holds ratings as an Army and Naval Flight Surgeon.
Throughout his medical career, Col. Godfrey has been an active operator in most of our major
military engagements starting with Vietnam.
Currently, Col. Godfrey is a professor at the United States Army War College in Carlisle,
Pennsylvania and the Director of Medical Systems in the Department of Command, Leadership and
Management. In addition to his Doctorate in Medicine from WVU, Col. Godfrey holds a Masters in
Strategic Studies from the Army War College and is completing a Masters in Public
Administration at Shippensburg University.
During the Commencement ceremony, GSC Emeriti Professors will be recognized, as well as the
Outstanding Faculty member and Student Leadership awardees. The GSC Class of 1954 will also be
honored as 50-year graduates.
The Commencement ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Jesse R. Lilly, Jr. Gymnasium on the
College campus. A luncheon will be held immediately following the ceremony for all graduates
and their families and friends in the Heflin Student Union.
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