Rob Farnam ’84 Honored with the 2025 Paul Gillette Outstanding Alumni Award

During the 2025 Homecoming Hall of Fame and Alumni Recognition Banquet on Saturday, Sept. 27, Missouri Military Academy proudly presented the Paul Gillette Outstanding Alumni Award to Rob Farnam, Class of 1984, in recognition of his remarkable dedication, leadership, and service to the Academy and its cadets. Feature photo from Homecoming 2024: As a former Fusileer and past MMA Alumni Association president, Rob Farnam ’84 led the plaque dedication ceremony to honor the legacy of former Fusileers coach LTC Kenneth J. “Mort” Mortenson.

Each year, the Paul Gillette Award honors a successful alumnus who serves as an inspiration and role model for current cadets — someone who demonstrates achievement in life while upholding the spirit of community and lifelong support for his alma mater.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Gillette, a six-year MMA cadet, set the standard for this award through his service and devotion to the Academy. As a cadet, he was active in the Fusileers, basketball, track, and rifle teams, served as drum major, and commanded Delta Company. Following graduation, he earned an Army ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. His continued connection to MMA included five years on the Alumni Board of Directors, service as alumni director, substitute teaching, and assisting with summer camp operations.

The MMA Alumni Association Board of Directors has the honor of selecting the recipient of this award each year. The 2025 honoree, Rob Farnam ’84, exemplifies the same spirit of service and loyalty as his award’s namesake. Farnam has contributed his time, talent, and resources to support the Academy, particularly through his dedicated leadership of the Fusileer Drill Team. When the team was reassembled after a long hiatus, he volunteered to coach and guide the cadets, using his own vacation time to return to campus for training sessions and competitions. His commitment inspired cadets to work hard and take pride in representing MMA at both local and national events.

Even after retiring his MMA uniform, Farnam has continued to recruit and mentor fellow alumni to share their expertise in support of the Fusileers and today’s cadets. His selfless dedication continues to enrich the Academy community.

Although Rob was unable to attend the 2025 Homecoming banquet in person, the Alumni Board of Directors accepted the award on his behalf. MMA extends heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Rob Farnam ’84 for his unwavering commitment to the success and spirit of Missouri Military Academy.