Saint Thomas Academy Names New Commandant of Cadets

A decorated U.S. Army Colonel with extensive experience in executive management, training, education, leadership and military command has been selected as the next Commandant of Cadets at Saint Thomas Academy, Minnesota’s only all-male, military leadership, college preparatory, Catholic academy. Col. Cornelius “Neil” Hetherington, U.S. Army (ret.) will assume the position upon the retirement of the Academy’s longest-serving Commandant, Lt. Col. Michael DePuglio, U.S. Army (ret.), at the end of the 2017-2018 school year.

“I am confident Colonel Hetherington’s depth of experience, work ethic, principled leadership and passion for excellence will reinforce the Saint Thomas Academy legacy and contribute to our mission of developing boys into young men of character,” said Headmaster Matthew C. Mohs ’90. “As one of the four foundational pillars of a Saint Thomas Academy education, our military leadership program requires, and is deserving of, the visionary leadership Colonel Hetherington has demonstrated throughout his career.”

As an independent military academy, Saint Thomas Academy incorporates principles of leadership, discipline, teamwork and life skills inherent in military service into the educational experience that collectively contribute to its cadets’ character development. While only approximately 10 percent of a graduating class goes on to military academies or military service, military principles and structure during his formative years can help shape a young man for life.

“This position is an answer to my ‘calling,’” Hetherington said. “I was not seeking a new job or position. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to continue serving our country in one of the noblest professions that influence young men to make this world a better place. That is to say nothing of the privilege, honor and humility this position carries when serving at such a prestigious and renowned institution such as Saint Thomas Academy.”

Hetherington is currently a Senior Army Instructor at General Colin L. Powell Leadership Academy, the only JROTC program in Hennepin County, which serves a largely minority, low-income population in Minneapolis. The Powell Leadership Academy is part of the Minnesota Transitions Charter School District, a K-12 community of nine academic options in the Minneapolis area. At the Powell Leadership Academy, he oversees all facets of daily operations: delivering academic instruction, character growth, social skills, patriotism and physical training, according to JROTC national program standards.

Among the highlights of Hetherington’s contributions while at the Powell Leadership Academy are: creating a fundraising campaign delivering a sizeable spike in charitable contributions; and conceiving of, designing, and executing 35+ extracurricular events to enhance students’ leadership, team building and decision-making skills. He has also planned and implemented 12+ service-learning projects, which increased program interest and demand from 20 to 60 students in one year. During his tenure, the Powell Leadership Academy has improved graduation rates, elevated GPAs and decreased drop-out rates.

His educational experience also includes nearly two years as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Western Illinois University, with the primary duty as the Military Science I instructor and the Reserve Component Coordinator for the Cadet Battalion.

In his recent active-duty military career, Hetherington served as Training Director/Program Manager of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 84th Training Command, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, overseeing the development and strategic planning for all training programs and exercises across 29 disciplines, providing critical preparation for individuals and operational units pending overseas deployment. He ensured the coordination and execution of 24+ training modules to 20,000 individual military and civilian participants for 12 training facilities. Hetherington was awarded an "on-the-spot" Army Commendation Medal by the Commanding General for his transformation efforts.

Prior to that, he was Assistant Director of Training for the U.S. Army Reserve at the Pentagon, and Training and Readiness Director for the U.S. Army Reserve 88th Regional Support Command, Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

Hetherington has received the following awards and commendations:

• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal (7)
• Army Commendation Medal (6)
• Army Achievement Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Army Service Ribbon
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon
• Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
• Expert Infantryman Badge
• Parachutist Badge
• Ranger Tab
• Army Staff Identification Badge