Dr. James Green ‘64 Honored with 2024 Paul Gillette Alumnus of the Year Award

The Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association honored Dr. James Green '64 with the prestigious 2024 Paul Gillette Alumnus of the Year Award at the Alumni Recognition & Awards Banquet on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. The award recognizes his accomplishments in education, poetry, and humanitarian work. Feature photo, Paul Gillette '70 and Steve McDavid '97 recognize Dr. Green's accomplishments at the banquet. 

Dr. Green's academic journey began as a middle schooler at MMA. After graduating from the Academy in 1964, he earned his bachelor's degree from Missouri State University, followed by a master's degree from Antioch University and a doctorate from Saint Louis University. With this comprehensive academic background, Dr. Green launched a diverse and impactful career across multiple fields.

He served as a lieutenant in the Navy, became a deputy sheriff, and shifted his focus to education, working as both a high school English teacher and a college professor of education. He dedicated many years to academia as an administrator in public schools and universities. Dr. Green was awarded two Fulbright grants, which enabled him to serve as a visiting scholar at the University of Limerick in Ireland and National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan.

During his academic career, Dr. Green published three books and numerous articles on a variety of educational topics. After retiring from higher education, Dr. Green devoted himself to poetry, publishing four chapbooks. His poetry has been featured in literary journals and anthologies in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland. His collection, "Long Journey Home," won the 2019 Charles Dickson Chapbook Contest from the Georgia Poetry Society. Dr. Green has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and received numerous honors for his literary work.

“Dr. Green’s diverse accomplishments and lifelong dedication to service, from education to humanitarian work, make him a truly extraordinary alumnus,” said Steve McDavid, MMA Alumni Association secretary and emcee at the Alumni Recognition & Awards Banquet, held during Homecoming 2024. 

In retirement, Dr. Green has dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts. He works with the Jesuit Refugee Service in refugee camps along the Myanmar-Thailand border, providing educational support and teacher training. He serves as assistant project director, managing program evaluations, writing accountability reports, and developing grant proposals to support continued efforts within underserved communities.

When he is in the U.S., Dr. Green serves as writer-in-residence at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center, where he teaches creative writing to in-patients. Additionally, he works with homeless veterans through a domiciliary program at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

The 2024 Paul Gillette Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes Dr. Green’s unwavering dedication to education, humanitarian work, and artistic expression. Dr. Green was unable to attend the banquet to accept his award. 

Below, Sanders Roth '04 accepts the 2024 Gillette Alumnus of the Year Award from Paul Gillette on behalf of Dr. James Green at the Alumni Recognition & Awards Banquet.

Nominate Outstanding Alumni for 2025!

Do you know an alumnus whose contributions go above and beyond? Nominations are now open for the 2025 Paul Gillette Alumnus of the Year Award! We are seeking alumni who have made substantial contributions in their fields and to their communities. To submit a nomination, please visit https://www.missourimilitaryacademy.org/alumni/alumni-awards-and-hall-of-fame/award-nomination-form. The deadline for nominations is January 1, 2025.

About the Paul Gillette Alumnus of the Year Award

The Paul Gillette Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes graduates of Missouri Military Academy who have made exceptional contributions in their chosen professions, to their communities, or to society at large. The award reflects the values of service, leadership, and excellence upheld by MMA and its alumni.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Gillette, Class of 1970, was a six-year MMA cadet.  He was active in the Fusileers, basketball, track, and rifle teams. He was drum major and held the position of Delta Company commander.  After receiving an Army ROTC college scholarship, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Regular Army in the Army Medical Service Corps.

Paul served on the MMA Alumni Board of Directors for 5 years, then he joined the MMA staff as the alumni director for several years.  Paul has continued to display his dedication to MMA as a substitute teacher over the years and by assisting with summer camp operations. 

This award is selected by the Alumni Association Board of Directors.