AU’s Leak Earns Major General James Earl Rudder Medal
2 MIN. READ
Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University Registrar Art Leak recently earned the Major General James Earl Rudder Medal. The medal is awarded annually to a serving or former member of the United States Army Reserve who has contributed to the advancement of the Association’s goal of a seamless and component-integrated Army.
Leak, a command major sergeant, is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in the Army and the Army Reserve for 39 years before retiring in 2016. In 2017, he was appointed Army Reserve ambassador for Indiana, where he represents the Army Reserve chief at local functions and celebrations, and serves as another set of eyes and ears for the chief with local and statewide units and organizations.
“Being nominated for a prestigious award such as the Major General James Earl Rudder Medal by the Association of the United States Army was a complete surprise, considering the number of Army Reserve soldiers equally, if not more, deserving,” said Leak. “This award is significant to me because, as a university registrar, I am well aware of the reputation of Major General Rudder, an individual whose ideas often went against popular opinion. While serving as the former president of Texas A&M, he was instrumental in leading the way for women and African Americans to attend one of the largest universities in the country.”
Leak has also served at Anderson University for the past 35 years and recently announced he will be retiring in May 2023. He began working at AU in 1987 as a resident hall director, and has served as the university Registrar for the past 28 years, making him the longest-serving registrar in the history of the institution.
“We have been blessed for over 35 years with Art’s servant leadership and commitment to excellence in all things,” said President John S. Pistole. “We will all miss him, but wish him God’s speed and fullness of life and joy in this next chapter of his life journey.”
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.