News

Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies is proud to welcome Major General Bryan Watson (USA, Retired, USMA 1982), as the 2022 Residency Conference keynote and Todd Lecture Series speaker at 7 p.m. June 22 in Mack Hall auditorium for a talk on “The Role of Trust in Leading Teams in Crisis.”

This lecture is free and open to the public and will be streamed live at tls.norwich.edu. 

Watson is a 34-year U.S. Army veteran and a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. An engineer by trade, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy with concentrations in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. He also holds a Master of Science degree in administration from Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Past command assignments ranged from platoon level to brigade commander in the 16th Engineer Battalion, 70th Engineer Battalion, 588th Engineer Battalion, and 1st ID Engineer Brigade. He also served as an engineer officer observer and coach at the National Training Center and Chief of Staff, 1st Armored Division. MG (Ret.) Watson was the 93rd commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment and School. His other flag officer assignments are: theater engineer for ISAF/IJC and USFOR-A in Afghanistan, vice director Joint Force Development (J7) the Joint Staff, and director of operations (J3) U.S. Africa Command. He has combat tours in operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations are the Defense Distinguished Service Award, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster); Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and French National Defense Medal (Gold Award.)  MG (Ret.) Watson has also earned the Ranger and Sapper Tabs. In 2022, he received the Gold DeFleury from the Corps of Engineers. He also serves as the Engineer Regiment’s honorary colonel.

Watson serves as senior mentor for Engineer Brigade and Artillery Brigade Warfighter Exercises. He teaches executive leader development courses to private businesses as faculty of Thayer Leadership at West Point. He is the president of the Army Engineer Association.

Watson is married to retired 1st Sgt. Sigrun Watson. They have four children.

Watson’s lecture is the keynote presentation for this year’s annual residency conference of 359 students representing 13 online graduate programs and six bachelor’s degree completion programs at Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Gathering from across the country and around the globe, these Norwich students will come together for a week of capstone and culminating academic work and conferences.

Norwich University’s Todd Lecture Series is named in honor of retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Russell Todd and his late wife, Carol, in gratitude for their dedicated service to the university. Todd, a 1950 graduate of the university, also serves as president emeritus.

With this series, Norwich brings national thought leaders from business, politics, the arts, science, the military and other fields and endeavors to its Northfield campus. Lectures are streamed live at tls.norwich.edu.

For more information, please visit the Todd Lecture Series website (tls.norwich.edu).