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Senate confirms new permanent professor at Academy

Caswell

Official photograph of Col. David Caswell.

By Ray Bowden and and Staff Sgt. Charlie Rivezzo

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Col. David Caswell is the latest faculty member at the Air Force Academy to be confirmed by the Senate for the position of permanent professor.

The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s nomination earlier this month for Caswell to head the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences.

“Congratulations to Col. Caswell and to his family,” said Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost, the Academy’s dean. “He’s a ground-breaking leader with a wealth of academic and leadership experience. The importance of cyber technology in today’s war-fighting efforts cannot be underestimated and Colonel Caswell is the right officer to inspire our cadets to continue to pursue innovation in the cyber realm.”

Caswell graduated from the Academy in 2001 with bachelors’ in computer science and operations research. He’s taught at the Academy for three-and-a-half years. He said the Academy faculty is comprised of “motivated professionals who deeply care about creating the best future officers for our Air Force.”

“We have a direct ability to shape and mentor a large percentage of the next generation of our Air Force’s leadership,” he said. “It is both inspiring and humbling to be able to work with the young men and women as we help prepare them for the challenges that they will be charged with overcoming.”

Caswell is married to Lt. Col. Cathy Caswell, commander of the Military Entrance Processing Center in Columbus, Ohio, and also a 2002 graduate of the Academy. The Caswells are parents to son Michael, 12, and daughters Caitlyn, 9 and Christine, 5.

“I’m learning more and more about the position every day and will give my trust to the terrific colleagues throughout the institution to help,” he said. “I’ve always had a high regard for the position of permanent professor and it was an opportunity that I knew I would try for if given the opportunity.”

Caswell said his guiding principles are viewing all challenges as potential opportunities, every Airman as a leader and to never stop learning.

“I’m passionate about inspiring lifelong learning and I personally believe teaching is the best route to learn,” he said. “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.”