Political Scientist Irwin Attains Promotion to Major General in U.S. Army Reserve
Dr. Lew Irwin, professor of political science, has been promoted to Major General in the U.S. Army Reserve and is among a rare number of academics to achieve this position ranked third from the top.
Less than one percent of the 5,000 to 8,000 new Army officers commissioned upon college graduation each year rise to Irwin’s previous rank, Brigadier General—a position even more seldom seen among those who also earn doctoral degrees and obtain professorships, according to the Army Reserve.
“As always, I am honored to be able to continue to serve our nation and our soldiers this way, and I’m truly grateful for the wonderful support that I’ve received from our colleagues here at Duquesne,” Irwin said.
Since Oct. 1, Irwin has led the 416th Theater Engineer Command in the Chicago suburb of Darien, leading about 12,500 soldiers in 175 units west of the Mississippi. A West Point civil engineering graduate who holds advanced degrees from Yale University and the U.S. Army War College, Irwin focuses on the policymaking process and policy analysis in his academic work.
In more than 28 years with the military, Irwin’s service has taken him to Saudi Arabia Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Panama, Germany and Afghanistan, as well as stateside locations. His active duty has included service in the 101st Airborne Division, a combat tour with the 3rd Armored Division during Desert Storm; a Sapper company command in the 1st Armored Division and service with the Afghan National Police.
In addition to teaching at Duquesne, Irwin serves as an Army Reserve Adjunct Professor for Research at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute.