MAJ Wayne Welander, USA (Ret)

Missouri MilitaryAcademy has designated MAJ Wayne Welander, USA (Ret), to serve as interim commandant of cadets at the college preparatory military boarding school.

Currently the senior Army instructor, Welander assumes the commandant’s duties of overseeing residential life, fostering self-discipline, personal responsibility and accountability with the Academy’s middle and high school cadets, guiding them in taking command of their lives, according to a news release.

As interim commandant, Welander is also responsible for delivering programming for positive character, leadership and life skills development that encourages goal setting, academic excellence, honor and integrity, living a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding high-risk behavior. He is also currently serving as director of MMA’s summer operations.

“As we continue our search to fill this critical position, I would like to thank Major Welander for assuming this interim responsibility and ensuring we uphold our high standards of care, oversight and leadership of our cadets,” said MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret), in the release. 

Welander served 24 years in the Army, working as a battalion logistics officer, a battalion operations officer and a division training and plans officer. While deployed to Iraq, he served as the officer in charge of a convoy support center, a position that was two ranks above his rank at that time. He retired from military service in 2024 with the rank of major.

Welander arrived at MMA in 2023 as the senior Army instructor and coordinator of the Junior ROTC program for cadets. He holds 18 years of teaching experience, including as a college professor and department chair in both civilian and military settings. He has taught military science at Wheaton College in Illinois; managed the School of Drafting and Design as program chair at ITT Technical Institute in Albuquerque; and taught design theory, AutoCAD and computer classes at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona. He has also worked as a manufacturing engineer and is an experienced machinist and tool and die maker.

Welander holds a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing technology and a master’s in technology, both from the University of Advancing Technology.

“I can’t think of anything more important than educating and mentoring the youth of this country,” said Welander, about his role at MMA, developing and strengthening cadets in mind and body, in the release.