“When duty calls, that is when character counts.”
The quote from American author and columnist William Safire is easily applied to Brent Delgado’s family members, whose service in the U.S. Armed Forces spans nearly a century with wartime posts in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East and military bases throughout the United States.
Delgado, who served six years in the U.S. Army as a combat medic, recently was named director of Military and Veterans Services at Lander University. His service to our nation follows that of his grandfather who saw duty in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Left for dead from a head injury on the battlefield, the elder Delgado was rescued and recovered after spending a year at Walter Reed Medical Center. He lived long enough to see other family members follow in the footsteps of his service.
“The Delgados have had a lucky streak when it comes to war,” said Delgado, noting that all have returned home after facing deadly fire in military strikes abroad.
Within his own home, Delgado’s wife, Taylor, works full time for the South Carolina National Guard. “We have a long record of service, and we are proud to serve our nation.”
September 11 a Defining Moment
Delgado was in the eighth grade when the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, occurred. “For every generation, there is probably a different moment that defines us,” Delgado said. “This was that moment for me, and I knew then that I wanted to serve my nation. It was not a matter of ‘if’ but when.”
Through his military service, Delgado said he learned the philosophy to “lean on me” to get through tasks that seem insurmountable. “We must lean on each other for help,” he said, a motto he is bringing to his new job. “I am here to help our veterans who are returning to school for their education, those who are serving in the military and our students whose parents are veterans or are now serving our nation.”
In his new post, Delgado brings not only a record of military service to Lander but a strong commitment to education. After graduating from Abbeville High School, Delgado came to Lander where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. He joined the Army, returned home and faced a new calling – to be classroom educator. He worked in Calhoun Falls as a teacher after earning certification in the sciences and then spent 10 years in education at Greenwood District 50, where he was his school’s science department chair.
Lander’s Commitment to the Military
It is Lander’s commitment to supporting military students and families which drew Delgado to the University.
For 2025-26, Lander has been recognized as a Military Friendly® Gold School and a Military Friendly® Spouse School, he said.
These designations are determined by the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in higher education and the military recruitment community.
In the 2025 Best Colleges issue of U.S. News & World Report, Lander earned the No. 3 spot on the publication’s “Best Colleges for Veterans-Regional Colleges (South)” list, which includes public and private colleges. The publication’s criteria as a Best College for Veterans include an institution’s enrollment of veterans and active-duty service members and the availability of educational benefits at the institution.
“When I realized that Lander had these recognitions, I was especially proud of my alma mater,” he said. “I am inheriting a gold program and the University’s strong record of service to our veterans.”
In the coming months, Delgado is looking forward to meeting Lander students and veterans and wants to establish a Student Veterans Organization on campus. “Most importantly, I want to ensure that students receive the services they need and to be available to help them be successful wherever their futures take them,” he said.
“I am their advocate on campus, and I will go to battle for our students,” Delgado said. “I will be their voice. These are my people.”
For more information on Lander’s Office of Military and Veterans Services, please visit www.lander.edu/veterans.