IUP will recognize Barry Gasdek with an honorary doctor of public service degree. A 1964 graduate of Indiana State College, now known as IUP, he is a former Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder infantry soldier who retired from the US Army as a lieutenant colonel.
For his heroic military service in Vietnam, Lt. Col. Gasdek earned many of the nation’s highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Soldier’s Medal, five Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and 17 Air Medals. Following his 2012 retirement, he received the honorary designation of colonel.
Now living in Laramie, Wyoming, he is originally from Westmoreland County and is a graduate of Derry High School.
Beyond his extraordinary military achievements, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to supporting veterans, military families, and future leaders through his leadership in national and state organizations. He has combined his expertise in education, counseling, and psychology with his passion for service, forging impactful relationships with military support organizations, veterans’ groups, and civic leaders. His unwavering dedication to duty, mentorship, and advocacy embodies the ideals of leadership and public service.
An Army Reserve ambassador emeritus, Lt. Col. Gasdek served as the Legion of Valor national commander in 2008 and 2009 and currently serves on its board of directors. He is also president of the Association of the US Army’s Wyoming Cowboy Chapter, past Wyoming State director with the American Legion Boys’ State, past Region III and current state commander with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and military outreach director with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve under the US Department of Defense.
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He is active in multiple civic, military, and private organizations and has established valuable working relationships with military support organizations, veterans and local service organizations, state and community leaders, and the US government.
Lt. Col. Gasdek is a life member of numerous organizations, including the Legion of Valor, US Army Ranger Association, Association of the US Army, National Infantry Association, CIA, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Division Veterans Association, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, University of Wyoming Veterans Task Force, Laramie Area Chamber of Commerce, Czechoslovak Society of America, Lions Club, and Rotary International.
Additionally, he is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow (Vigil) member of Boy Scouts of America; a former board member of the Miss Georgia Pageant and Springer Opera House, State Theatre of Georgia; a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; and an inductee in the Hall of Valor at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Pittsburgh, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in Vails Gate, New York, the US Army Cadet Command’s Army ROTC Hall of Fame, the University of Wyoming’s Cowboy Battalion Alumni Hall of Fame, and the Athletics Hall of Fame and Army ROTC Hall of Fame at IUP, where he was a distinguished military graduate.
He is also a recipient of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award, the Association of the US Army Soaring Eagle and Leadership awards, the Wyoming Outstanding Military Outreach Coordinator award, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Lifetime Achievement Award and Volunteer Award, two Lions Club International Leadership Awards, and three US President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
A former commissioner and veterans service officer with the Wyoming Veterans Commission, he has served as grand marshal of parades commemorating IUP Homecoming, Memorial Day in Cheyenne, and the Green River Rendezvous in Pinedale, Wyoming. He was also the subject of a US Senate tribute noted in the 2012 Congressional Record.
He holds a bachelor of science in education from Indiana State College and a master’s in counseling psychology from Georgia State University. While at ISC, he was an athlete of the year and participated in three sports: football, wrestling, and track and field.