Awards

IU Southeast Distinguished Alumni Award (2019)

About Michael J. Dornbush

Brigadier General Michael J. Dornbush earned a B.S. in Business from IU Southeast in 1976. Dornbush holds a Master of Science in national security strategy from Air University and a Master of Science in human resource management from Troy State University.

During his years at IU Southeast, Dornbush was heavily involved in Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He helped charter the Omicron Sigma chapter at IU Southeast and was the second person to become a member.

He began his career in the U.S military more than four decades ago. Enlisting in the Air Force in 1972, he was commissioned as a communications operations officer in the Kentucky Air National Guard in 1984. From 1988 to 2010, he commanded at the flight squadron and vice wing commander levels for the 123rd Airlift Wing, one of the most decorated units in the Air Force. Dornbush retired as the director of joint staff for the Kentucky Joint Force Headquarters of the Kentucky National Guard in 2012.

He has been recognized with more than 30 medals, awards, ribbons, and badges related to his military service, including a Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.

In 2019, he was awarded the IU Southeast Distinguished Alumni Award.