Veteran embraces the work it takes to achieve his goals

Jerome McFadden believes you need a list of goals and someone to hold you accountable in order to succeed.

At 65, McFadden has accomplished a lot of his initial goals, from becoming a first-generation graduate by earning a degree in media art and a minor in broadcast journalism from the University of South Carolina in 1982 to serving and retiring from the United States Army after 24 years.

Now he will graduate from Augusta University with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity through the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, fulfilling another goal he set for himself in the mid-2010s.

“I am proud of myself that I stuck to it. What I went through was hard, but I stuck with it, and it means a lot to me that I am an example to my kids and grandkids that saw me do it,” McFadden said. “For me to go through this at my age, I’m quite sure they were looking at me like, ‘He’s smart.’ I said, I’m not always smart, but I set goals and stuck with it. You have to keep working until you achieve them.”

McFadden was editor of his high school newspaper when he attended South Carolina for a summer workshop. His time spent there inspired him to go back and get a degree. He worked in radio and television during and after his first stint in college.

McFadden noted, when TV broadcaster Walter Cronkite retired and Dan Rather took over and signed a lucrative contract, he became motivated to work even harder in television.

After working at TV stations in South Carolina and North Carolina, he left the business and explored opportunities that he felt had better retirement options. A friend suggested enlisting in the military, an experience McFadden had as part of his high school’s ROTC program.

He joined the Army as a helicopter mechanic and worked his way to Officer Candidate School, but setbacks prevented McFadden’s progress.

“I reenlisted and stayed in the Army because my goal was to retire from the military, whether that was as an officer or enlisted,” said McFadden, who eventually retired in 2011 as a sergeant first class. “You have to have those goals. Without them, I would’ve never retired.”

After decompressing from life in the military, he moved from New York back to his hometown of Lake City, South Carolina, to spend a year with his mother before she passed away. His second wife was working with a commissary and was close to retirement. They moved to Augusta as a compromise as it was between Lake City and Auburn, Alabama, her hometown.

When McFadden arrived, he heard people talking about cybersecurity. His interest was piqued, and, with the help of Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation, he decided to earn an associate’s degree from Augusta Technical College, graduating with honors.

“I might as well go and get a bachelor’s degree,” he said in reflection, and that’s when his journey with AU began.

“I want them to see me go through it so they can set their goals, and, as long as they do that, they can accomplish whatever they put their mind to. I’ll be happy with that.”

Jerome McFadden, on his children and grandchildren

“I applied, was accepted, and here I am,” he said. “Voc-Rehab is for disabled veterans who want to get a degree and want to come back into the workforce. I had no more GI Bill to use after Augusta Tech, so I had to go to Voc-Rehab in order to get my bachelor’s degree from Augusta University.”

Steven Weldon, an adjunct instructor for AU’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, taught McFadden and said he is an enthusiastic student who is highly inquisitive and interacts well with instructors and classmates. He also said he comes to class always ready and eager to learn.  

“Jerome and I have somewhat similar backgrounds and are close to the same age. It’s motivating to see him truly be a ‘lifelong learner,’” Weldon said. “He enjoys learning and being in the classroom. He interacts well with his fellow students of all ages. I believe Jerome is a positive influence in every classroom he is in.”

McFadden credits his advisers, professors and classmates, like Ericka Gibbons and John Tzolis, for driving him to excel. He is a very competitive person and always strives to be among the best in his classes but has also always been aware of his limitations. That helped him be willing to ask for help when he needed it, but he also returned the favor when people asked for his help.

McFadden also knows the obstacles he’s faced have helped him get to this point in his life. He maintained his focus and remained the positive thinker he’s always been. He has four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. He’s proud of the example he’s been to them as some are already in college, and he always encourages his family members to make a plan and follow through with it.

“I want them to see me go through it so they can set their goals, and, as long as they do that, they can accomplish whatever they put their mind to,” he said. “I’ll be happy with that.”