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For release August 28, 2006
RETIRED U.S. MARINE MAJOR JOINS UTSI AS
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO DR. DANIEL
Scott W. Van Zandbergen of Manchester, a
retired U.S. Marine Corps major, has joined The University of
Tennessee Space Institute as special assistant to Dr. Donald C.
Daniel, UT associate vice president and UTSI’s chief operating
officer.
The Illinois native’s new position entails organizing and
leading a multitude of high profile projects for Dr. Daniel,
while interacting continuously with UTSI faculty, staff and
students. He also is to conduct independent research on UT,
state and national issues.
“Scott Van Zandbergen is exactly the person we need at UTSI to
lead a wide variety of activities directly for me,” Daniel said.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with his very
impressive credentials and experience join us.
He hit the deck running from the first hour he was here, and I am totally
confident that he will serve not only me but all of UTSI very
well.”
Born in Moline, Ill., Scott grew up in rural Carthage, Illinois,
where his parents, Richard and Marlene Souder, still reside. A
retirement service marking his 22-plus years of military service
was held at his parents’ home. It was conducted by Col. Albert
T. Graham, retired, U.S. Marine Corps.
Van Zandbergen received an associate degree in accounting from
Robert Morris College in Illinois in 1983. Five years later he
graduated from Western Illinois University (WIU) with a
bachelor’s degree in business.
He and his wife, Diana, have five children. Their three younger
children, Nicholas, 17, Ethan, 16, and Emily, 13, moved with
their parents to Manchester this past December. The older two,
Adam, 22, and Benjamin, 20, remained in Fredericksburg, Va.
Scott’s last duty assignment was as the staff secretary for the
Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va. He
entered the Marine Corps as a private in December 1983 and
served with VMAT-203 (Harrier training squadron) at Cherry
Point, N.C.
After earning his degree at WIU, Van Zandbergen was commissioned
a second lieutenant. Upon completion of training at Quantico,
Va., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., he was assigned to the Third Marine
Division in Okinawa, Japan.
Arriving in Okinawa during October, 1989, he was first assigned
to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion as the adjutant/personnel
officer. It was during this tour that he successfully completed
Army Airborne training and Navy SCUBA training. In June1992, he
was reassigned to the division headquarters to serve as the
division adjutant.
On Nov. 30, 1992, he was reassigned as the aide-de-camp to the
commanding general, where he served until being reassigned in
December 1993 as the Division G-1 operations officer.
In August 1994, Scott was reassigned to serve as the division
personnel officer and remained in this position until his
transfer back to the United States during May 1996, to attend
Amphibious Warfare School (AWS) in Quantico, Va.,
Completing school in May 1997, Van Zandbergen was assigned as
the adjutant with Marine Helicopter Squadron One, the
prestigious Presidential Helicopter Squadron, located at
Quantico. During this assignment, he assumed the additional duty
as an assistant White House liaison officer, which afforded him
the opportunity for worldwide travel in support of the
President.
During June 2001, he was transferred to Headquarters Marine
Corps at the Pentagon, where he was assigned to the office of
the Director, Marine Corps Staff as the administrative officer
and assistant secretary to the general staff. He was reassigned
in June 2004 to his final assignment in Quantico.
Personal awards received during his military career include the
Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy Commendation
Medal with one gold star, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Dr. Donald C. Daniel
discusses UTSI business with Scott Van
Zandbergen, left, his new special assistant.
Dr. Donald C. Daniel,
left, welcomes Maj. Scott Van Zandbergen
(ret.) who has joined UTSI as Daniel’s
special assistant.
Writer: Weldon Payne (921) 393-7222
wpayne@utsi.edu
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