Maj. Jefferson D. Holden ’84 USMC, a national champion diver for SUNY Cortland whose records still stand after two decades, has distinguished himself professionally during his 20-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Avon, N.Y., native dominated the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) competition by winning every one-meter and three-meter championship during all four years at Cortland. He was one of the few divers to receive the James Fulton Award, presented by the SUNYAC coaches to the outstanding senior swimming and diving athlete in the league.
Holden, a six-time All-American, won the NCAA Division III one-meter national title in 1984. He still holds the school records on both boards set during the 1983-84 season.
A communication studies major at SUNY Cortland, Holden hosted a radio talk show on WSUC-FM and acted in several Cortland theatrical productions.
Upon graduation, Holden accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2000, he was named executive officer of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Headquarters. In 2000-01, he served as comptroller of the 3rd Marine Division and was commanding officer of the Service Company, HQ/Service Battalion, at Quantico, Va., from 2001-03.
Holden has been honored with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the NMC Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Joint Achievement Medal, and the NMC Achievement Medal.
He earned an M.B.A. in finance from Averett University and graduated from both the Professional Military Comptroller School and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He is a certified defense financial manager.
Holden has raised funds for Habitat for Humanity and directed the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program in Albany, Ga. He has volunteered as an adult Sunday School teacher and as a speaker for the Men’s Chapel Group in Okinawa, Japan. He was the springboard coach for the Northern Virginia Dive Club, a diving coach at Mount Vernon (Va.) High School, and a member of the Northern Virginia Lacrosse Officials’ Association. A student pilot, he belongs to the Quantico Aero Club and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
He has two children, Ashley, 17, and Kyle, 12.
