New President of Valley Forge Military Academy & College

Col. John “Doc” Church

Congrats to Col. John “Doc” Church, newly named President of Valley Forge Military Academy & College. Press follows:

WAYNE, PA – The Board of Trustees of Valley Forge Military Academy & College has unanimously approved the appointment of Colonel John C. Church, Jr., USMCR, as President. Colonel Church will take office at the end of this academic year, succeeding current President Dr. Stacey R. Sauchuk. Colonel Church is a combat decorated US Marine Corps Reservist, educator, leader, mentor, role model, and author.
William R. Floyd, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was pleased to make the announcement stating that “Colonel Church possesses a unique combination of military leadership experience and an academic background. His prior experience at Valley Forge, serving as a Professor of Leadership and later as Dean of the College, make him uniquely qualified to lead Valley Forge into the future. The entire Valley Forge community welcomes Colonel Church back and looks forward to his inspirational leadership.”
“It is a great honor and humbling privilege to be given the opportunity to lead such a storied institution as Valley Forge. I am grateful for the appointment. However, I am also thankful for the manner in which the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Immaculata community embraced our family during my tenure here. Our family will truly miss all the Mighty Macs, but Mary Kay and I are truly thrilled to return to the VF family,” said Colonel Church. Colonel Church is an active Marine Corps Reservist, currently commanding the 3D Civil Affairs Group in Great Lakes, IL, and intends to conclude his career at the end of his command tour.

As a combat engineer officer, Colonel Church commanded Company C, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion in Lynchburg, Virginia, from where he led a deployment to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. With 4th Civil Affairs Group, Colonel Church served in Kosovo, completed two tours of duty in Iraq, served in Afghanistan, and taught Civil Affairs to soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia.