Information for:
New Alumni College to Offer Seminars by Iraq War Expert
By Ryann Doyle
He [Trainor] knows his facts. When he answers questions, his judgments seem so fair it is hard to argue with,” says Censer. “You have to take what he says into consideration.
- Jack Censer
As part of its new Alumni College, a program that offers continuing education seminars to Mason alumni and friends led by nationally recognized experts, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) hosts its first Scholar in Residence, Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor (Ret.).
Trainor, the coauthor of two books, “The General’s War” and the best seller “Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq,” will give a series of lectures during the spring 2008 semester.
The goal of the Alumni College is to provide noncredit classes to Mason alumni and friends to enrich their knowledge about important issues.
“We are really interested in scholarly thinking about everyday practical stuff,” says CHSS Dean Jack Censer, who envisioned the Alumni College.
While serving as Scholar in Residence, Trainor will lead three seminars on the Fairfax Campus next spring that address the origins and consequences of the Iraq war’s assumptions and policies:
- Feb. 26, The Legitimacy of Intervention
- March 5, Military Decision Making in the Political Process
- March 12, Military in the Media
While Trainor’s primary message is one of skepticism about the war, Censer says the presentations will provide an informative and valuable background whatever one's political beliefs.
“He [Trainor] knows his facts. When he answers questions, his judgments seem so fair it is hard to argue with,” says Censer. “You have to take what he says into consideration.”
At the end of World War II, Trainor enlisted in the Marine Corps and was selected for officer training. He was selected as second lieutenant after graduating from Holy Cross College in 1951. His combat commands included a tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. His noncombat services include appointments as deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and operations and Marine Corps deputy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He holds a master's degree in history, attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and is a distinguished graduate from the Air War College.
This article appeared in the Mason Gazette.
This news article first appeared on January 22, 2008.