Lt.
Col. Matthew F. Ignatovig Joins University’s Dauntless Battalion
Lt. Col. Matthew F. Ignatovig has
assumed command of the Dauntless Battalion, Widener University’s Army Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps. Ignatovig replaces Lt. Col. Donald J. McDannald and
will serve at Widener for at least three years.
Widener
University is the host institution for ROTC activity at the Abington and
Brandywine campuses of Pennsylvania State University, Cheyney University of
Pennsylvania, Immaculata University, Neumann University, Villanova University
and West Chester University of Pennsylvania. These partnerships help make
Widener’s ROTC program one of the largest in the region, with 128 active cadets
this academic year.
Ignatovig comes
to Widener after serving a one-year assignment to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt
in the Multinational Force and Observers peacekeeping mission, established when
Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1979. The Multinational Force and
Observers monitor Sinai to ensure that both sides adhere to specifications
agreed upon in the treaty.
Prior to his
assignment in Egypt, Ignatovig held a position similar to his new appointment
at Widener as a professor of military science and commander of the Moccasin
Battalion at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla.
“Working with
students in a direct mentorship role is extremely rewarding for me,” said
Ignatovig. “I am excited to return to a university environment, where I can
teach leadership skills to young cadets and see them progress from being taught
to teaching and leading others through the ROTC program.”
Ignatovig comes
from a military family and joined the infantry at age 17. He was accepted into
the early commissioning program at age 18 and attended Valley Forge Military
College. He was commissioned at age 20 in May 1991. He is an Armor Cavalry
Officer.
Ignatovig
attended The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey to earn a bachelor’s degree
in management. He later earned a master’s degree in international affairs at
the Naval War College.
Since his
commissioning in 1991, Ignatovig has had a long, distinguished military career.
Highlights include deployments to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Europe and the
Middle East in addition to various international assignments. Among his many
military awards is a Bronze Star Medal.
Since beginning
his most recent assignment at Widener, Ignatovig and his wife, Denice, and four
children, Sarah, Hunter, Luke and Erin, have relocated from Florida to West
Chester, Pa.
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