Meet Thomas Torbert
Alumni Spotlight
Meet Thomas Torbert; alumnus of Gordon Military College and current alumni board member.
Torbert attended Gordon Military High School from 1961 to 1966 for his eighth through 12th grade years. Since he had attended the high school on the same campus, his home was Barnesville, which is why he chose to stay and attend Gordon Military College in 1966. It was a convenient and less expensive way for him to start his post-secondary education.
Over five decades later, Torbert still cherishes the memories he has of his time attending Gordon. The friendships he made are some that will last a lifetime. As a student, he was a member of the marching band, the Saber Club (for cadet officers) and the FBLA. One of his favorite courses was organic chemistry taught by Major Reynolds Bush.
After Gordon, Torbert joined the United States Army and served active duty for 22 years. After his retirement in 1991, he joined Atlanta Public Schools where he served as a JROTC instructor, deputy director for JROTC and director for JROTC for 20 years. Torbert currently works part-time with the US Army as the leadership program manager for the US Army JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl.
Torbert resides in Marietta, Georgia with his wife of 51 years, Margaret. With three sons and 10 grandchildren, he enjoys spending his free time being physically active, camping or doing volunteer work with the Military Officers Association of America. Torbert also enjoys giving back to youth who are pursuing their post-secondary education by organizing and administering scholarships for JROTC students in Atlanta Metro area high schools and in Lamar County High School.
Torbert says, “Gordon is a great place to prepare or at least start preparing for your life's work. It's large enough to offer you a number of associate and baccalaureate programs of study, but small enough for you to get the personal and professional support that you may need to succeed. Gordon was there for me.”