COBA Recognizes Veteran Rob Byrd

veterans day

 

Last month, ACU celebrated our veterans during chapel. This month, we want to continue to take time to remember those who have courageously fought for our country’s freedom. Rob Byrd, a member of the ACU faculty and a former officer in the US Air Force from 1982 – 1992, served as a navigator, electronic warfare officer, flight simulator programmer and supervisor, instructor, signals collection specialist, and mission director. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana and graduated with a degree in math from Harding University. He was commissioned into the Air Force in 1982 and served for 10 years before gaining his Masters in Math with an emphasis in Computer Science from Creighton University in 1992. Rob taught in the computer science department Western Kentucky University in addition to developing a new technical major titled Information and Knowledge Management at the York College in Nebraska. Rob joined the ACU faculty in January and now works in the school of IT and Computing.

Rob originally joined the military seeking an adventure and ways to serve others. He describes his time in the military as a time of serving others but in a completely different way. He states, “There were just people, missions, and opportunities to help people-the same opportunities I would have had if I had chosen any other career.” While in the military, Rob learned the life lesson of serving those who are hard to work with, no matter what the circumstance might be. Serving in the military truly opened his eyes to a different angle of service, performing difficult jobs most people would not want to do. In addition, Rob believes his service has directly translated to the service he does here at ACU, striving to humbly serve individuals and help them to accomplish their own missions in life. From Paul’s words, Rob encourages individual’s not to “become weary in doing good”. In order to live out God’s calling and mission for our lives we must serve others. ACU honors and thanks other family members, friends, and faculty in the ACU community who have served our country. These include: John Altman, Jim Bartee, Rob Byrd, Malcolm Coco, Brian Golden, Don Jackson, Ray Pettit, Jim Porter, Charles Small, David Swearingen, and Vince Swinney.

 

 

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“Ultimately, what I learned was that one doesn’t really serve countries or companies, but individuals, and that it is more fulfilling to serve others than to be served,” says former Air Force officer Rob Byrd.

 

 

 

The Powerful Advantage of Shadowing

COBA’s Amy Morris had the opportunity to shadow COBA alum Chad Baker, Executive Vice President and Regional Director of Jones Lang La Salle, for two weeks this past summer. She was able to gain hands on experience by attending meetings, conference calls, and strategic development sessions with Chad. Amy learned several things about the commercial real estate business,  but more valuable than that, she learned how to conduct herself humbly and honorably in tough business positions. She explains how true character truly reveals itself in those hard circumstances dealing with different people and that until you are actually out in the world and experiencing this hands on, you do not have a good feel for how to handle certain situations.

Chad Baker strongly believes in the shadowing concept and how it can give students a vision for their career choice. “I believe young adults can utilize the shadowing concept to obtain a vision (or glimpse) of various professions/professionals and to begin internalizing the path to pursue in their lives today which would lead to fulfilling their respective vision…with God’s blessing and favor.” As students begin to start their journey in the workplace, shadowing older and mature believers and leaders in the business world is the perfect way to see how students can start to discover and utilize their God-given gifts in whichever career path they choose.

amy morris

“I was so blessed by my experience with Chad, and I would encourage others to find an opportunity to find and shadow a mentor. I have discovered that many professionals are eager to share their knowledge with college students; all we have to do is ask! There are few substitutes for real life experience.”

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