Alumnus Visits Xavier Regiment

By LTC Jacob Kelly, USA (Ret.)

On January 31, MAJ Francis Dong, USA (Ret.) '67 visited Xavier and spent several hours speaking to members of the Regiment. More than 100 cadets attended the various sessions to hear Dr. Dong elaborate on his time at Xavier, the value of a Xavier education, and how the Regiment played a significant role in his life. Dr. Dong shared his extensive experience and insights and the cadets obtained valuable information to help them succeed in school and life and to be men for others. 

As a recipient of numerous teaching awards, among which is the once-in-a-lifetime Excellence in Teaching Award, Dr. Dong captivated the cadets with his quiet and calm demeanor while challenging them with penetrating questions that forced them to consider their roles as student-cadets and their future contributions to society at large. Cadets had many questions of their own for Dr. Dong as they wondered about his thoughts on the Xavier-inspired play The Institute as well as how Xavier had changed since he graduated.

Dr. Dong noted that he had never worked so hard academically as he did at Xavier and that his Xavier education had prepared him so well that all his subsequent academic endeavors were rendered easy. At the end of the presentations, several cadets asked Dr. Dong if they could remain in contact with him to get his opinion on their future career decisions to which he readily agreed. By all accounts, it was a day well-spent. Dr. Dong is a staunch supporter of Xavier and hosts the annual Xavier alumni reception in the nation’s capital that Sons of Xavier of all years attend every December.

*********************************
Dr. Francis H. Dong currently serves as a Public Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in Washington, DC, and as Chairman of the Board of the Airmen Memorial Foundation. A career Army officer who served in troop command and staff positions including with the Army General Staff, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Dong went on to successful careers in academia and business. He has served as a Dean, Director, and Professor at several major universities (including the University of Maryland system, the University of Virginia, Pennsylvania State University, and The Catholic University of America).