Pathways Speaker Series: McFate & Service Beyond the Hillside
In recognition of Presidents Day and all of the esteemed service members from South Kent, we are excited to welcome Dr. Sean McFate ’88 for a virtual Pathways talk about his time on the Hillside and his extraordinary career in the military and beyond. McFate’s journey has taken him from the classrooms and athletic fields of South Kent to the front lines of modern warfare, global strategy, and academia.
A Visionary in Future Warfare
Dr. Sean McFate is a strategic maverick. Once in a generation, a uniquely qualified scholar-warrior with rare insight emerges to offer a divergent vision of future war. While many emphasize technology and firepower as the key to military dominance, McFate argues that the real battlefield advantage lies in strategic thinking. He challenges conventional wisdom, advocating for a paradigm shift in how Western powers approach conflict and security.
A Career Unlike Any Other
After graduating from South Kent in 1988, McFate embarked on a military career that saw him serve as a paratrooper in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. His path then led him into the world of paramilitary contracting and private intelligence, where he operated in some of the most volatile regions of the world. From negotiating with African warlords and raising armies for U.S. interests to conducting strategic reconnaissance for oil companies and preventing a potential genocide in the Rwanda region, McFate’s experiences are as diverse as they are impactful.
Scholar and Author
Despite his deep involvement in high-stakes global affairs, McFate pursued academic excellence, earning degrees from Brown University, Harvard University, and a PhD from the London School of Economics. Today, he is a leading voice in military strategy, a professor at Georgetown and Syracuse universities, and an acclaimed author. His writing, both non-fiction and fiction, sheds light on modern warfare in ways that traditional analyses cannot. His 2016 novel, Shadow War, originally conceived as a memoir, evolved into a gripping narrative exploring the shadowy world of covert operations in Eastern Ukraine—drawing heavily from his own experiences.
Join Us for This Special Event
South Kent School invites students, faculty, and alumni to join us for this exclusive virtual Pathways talk with Dr. Sean McFate. His insights into military strategy, national security, and global conflict promise to be both enlightening and inspiring. “I’m honored to share my journey with the South Kent community,” McFate said. “My time at South Kent shaped my character and leadership skills in ways I still draw upon today.”
Peter Thompson, a fellow South Kent alumnus and military veteran who works with the Advancement Team to support alumni engagement, emphasized the significance of McFate’s visit: “Sean’s career exemplifies the values we uphold at South Kent—courage, intellect, and service. His perspective on modern warfare and leadership will be invaluable for our students and alumni alike.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of South Kent’s most distinguished alumni as he shares his remarkable journey and groundbreaking ideas on the future of warfare.
For more about Sean McFate and his work, visit [www.seanmcfate.com].
