For these alumni, serving in the military was more than a career choice — it was a calling. Whether inspired by family tradition, a desire to lead, or a commitment to something larger than themselves, each found purpose in the armed forces.
Our Military Mountain Hawks
William “Keith” Blair ’00 | Sean Camperson ’11 | Doug Moquet ’08 | Maura Campbell Bowman ’24 | Lucas King ’22
William “Keith” Blair ’00
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Former Commanding Officer and Operations Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
Growing up with a father who was an airline pilot, Blair developed an early fascination with aviation. A career in the military felt like a natural fit, though he was initially unsure which branch to pursue. A family friend who had flown in Vietnam encouraged him to explore the Coast Guard and its search-and-rescue missions.
After graduating from Lehigh, Blair spent a year working as an engineer at an industrial turbomachinery company while considering his options. Eventually, he completed his application to Officer Candidate School and was accepted.
Over the next 22 years, Blair served at duty stations across the country, from San Francisco to Kodiak, Alaska. His final assignment took him to New Orleans where he spent two years as commanding officer. During that time, he led the unit through Hurricane Ida, the COVID-19 pandemic, and multiple high-profile operations.
After retiring in 2023, Blair shifted his focus to spending more time with his family. He still hasn’t left the cockpit behind, however, and now flies corporate aircraft based in Trenton, New Jersey. He also stays connected with many of his former military colleagues through the 24 Hours of Lemons endurance racing series, where teams compete in cars costing $500 or less to buy and build.
Sean Camperson ’11
B.S. in Business & Economics
Former Infantry Officer and Army Ranger
U.S. Army
Military service is woven into Camperson’s family history. His parents, Brian Camperson ’80 P’11 P’14 and Cynthia J. Camperson P’11 P’14, and grandparents all served. While his parents never pushed him toward military service, Camperson says it was hard not to feel its pull after growing up on Army posts in Germany and being surrounded by that example. Ultimately, he felt called to serve.
That calling became deeply personal because of September 11, 2001. The date is also his parents’ wedding anniversary. His father had been scheduled to attend a meeting at the Pentagon that morning in the area where the plane struck, but rescheduled it to celebrate the occasion. The man his father was supposed to meet sadly didn’t make it home. Had his father kept the original meeting, Camperson believes that his family’s lives would have been significantly different.
Camperson pursued Army ROTC at Lehigh, which he describes as the defining experience of his life. After graduation, he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, and later served in various conventional formations as well as the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army’s premier special operations infantry force. His deployments to Afghanistan profoundly shaped both his leadership and perspective.
Today, Camperson practices commercial litigation and serves on the Lehigh Lawyers Association. He continues to support the military community and helped launch CronusFit, a nonprofit organization that prepares junior soldiers for Ranger School and other military selection programs. The organization has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to Veterans transitioning from active duty. Although he’s stepped back from day-to-day involvement, he continues to advise the organization whenever he can.
Doug Moquet ’08
B.A. in International Relations
Former Judge Advocate
U.S. Air Force
As a student at a military boarding school, Moquet developed what he jokingly describes as an unusual fascination with the First Gulf War. Captivated by the technology used in modern warfare, he assumed he would eventually become an infantry officer. Instead, he chose Lehigh, seeking a more traditional college experience. While his military aspirations temporarily took a back seat, they never disappeared.
While attending law school, Moquet discovered the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, realizing he could combine his passion for public service with a legal career. He applied and soon found himself serving as a military attorney.
Throughout his career, Moquet traveled around the country and the world, often handling back-to-back courts-martial. Later, he deployed to an air operations center, advising commanders on the lawful use of lethal force during combat operations. The work demanded sound legal judgment in high-pressure situations and proved to be one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.
Today, Moquet continues practicing law while remaining active in the Lehigh Lawyers Association. He’s also involved with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit supporting ill and injured veterans and their families, where he continues advocating for those who have served.
Maura Campbell Bowman ’24
B.A. in History
First Lieutenant Active Duty Ordnance Officer
U.S. Army
Bowman always envisioned a career centered on leadership and service. Given her love of history, the military felt like the perfect fit. After researching the Army, she found its values closely aligned with her own. Her faith has always guided her desire to help others, and Army ROTC at Lehigh offered a way to turn that calling into a career.
Bowman soon found herself serving as a platoon leader. While the work was demanding, watching her soldiers grow into confident leaders made every challenge worthwhile. Mentoring others and building strong teams remains one of her greatest motivations.
Today, Bowman serves at Fort Drum, where she oversees logistics operations supporting her battalion and brigade. Her team maintains heavy machinery, trucks, trailers, forklifts, and other ground equipment, as well as coordinates the distribution of ammunition and aviation fuel. As executive officer, she serves as the company commander’s second-in-command, ensuring operations run smoothly.
Outside the Army, Bowman enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Ben Bowman ’25, and their corgis, Pumpkin and Legend.
Lucas King ’22
B.A. in Architecture, B.S. in Civil Engineering
Captain, Army Engineering Officer
U.S. Army
Long before King became a Lehigh student, he had fallen in love with Bethlehem. Growing up, he regularly visited his grandfather, Leon Harbold '59 GP'21, and admired the city’s charm and the university’s campus. When it came time to choose a college, Lehigh’s architecture program and Army ROTC made it an easy decision.
King originally planned to serve in the Army National Guard or Reserves. But after joining the Ranger Challenge team, he discovered a deep appreciation for the camaraderie and sense of purpose that came with military service. He decided to pursue active duty instead, crediting Lehigh’s academic rigor with preparing him for the demands of balancing leadership, training, and professional responsibilities.
After graduating, King learned he would serve as an Army engineer and spent several months training in Missouri before receiving his first assignment in Hawaii.
Today, he supports an infantry division as a combat engineer. During nearly two years as a platoon leader, he led soldiers responsible for combat engineering missions focused on mobility, countermobility, and survivability while training troops across the Army.
When he’s not working, King and his wife, Isabelle King ’21, enjoy hiking, surfing, spending time at the beach, and taking advantage of Hawaii’s natural beauty.
