By Jonah Grinkewitz
Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah (B.S. ’07) was always someone you could depend on.
That was clear in 2005, when he was a student worker in Facilities Management at Old Dominion University, changing air filters in heating and air-conditioning units and doing minor repairs at Powhatan Apartments.
“I can’t recall Brandon ever calling out or missing a day of work,” said Thomas Maddox, director of building services.
At the time, Maddox was the maintenance supervisor for Powhatan and developed a lifelong friendship with Lt. Col. Shah, who was studying for his bachelor’s in sociology and criminal justice with a minor in military leadership.
Maddox watched Lt. Col. Shah’s career grow from afar — starting with his 2007 Army commissioning and through deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Eastern Europe.
Despite earning numerous awards, including two Bronze Stars, logging more than 1,200 hours across three aircraft, flying combat missions, and commanding multiple battalions and squadrons, Lt. Col. Shah remained the same steady and humble person.
“He was the same Brandon; he was just a lieutenant colonel now,” Maddox said.
That same steady presence was on display during his final moments on March 12 when a senseless act of violence took place in a classroom where he was teaching Old Dominion University Army ROTC cadets. Lt. Col. Shah was fatally wounded while protecting the students, and two students were injured before the cadets subdued the assailant. Lt. Col. Shah’s bravery and quick response, along with that of his students, prevented further injuries.
Lt. Col. Shah sought to teach after a distinguished active-duty career. A proud alumnus, he eagerly returned to Old Dominion University in 2022 to lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion. In his first year, he oversaw a nearly 50% increase in enrollment.
“Lt. Col. Shah demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building an exceptional Army ROTC Battalion and serving his cadets with the highest standard of excellence,” said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, Ed.D., vice president for Student and Campus Life. “He worked tirelessly to ensure that cadets were supported with the resources, mentorship and experiential opportunities they needed to succeed as Army officers following commissioning.”
He reinstated the University’s longstanding ROTC tradition of the rappelling exercise at S.B. Ballard Stadium; secured a cannon for the cadets to fire during pep rallies and football games; and made sure his cadets were active on campus, serving as ambassadors at various University events.
“He was everywhere,” said retired Lt. Gen. Donna W. Martin (B.S. ’88), the 67th Inspector General of the U.S. Army. She spoke at a celebration of life for Lt. Col. Shah on March 22 at Chartway Arena.
“Brandon strengthened the bond between the Army and this University,” she said. “He met with leadership and the college and kept them in the forefront, because he always wanted the best for his cadets.”
His tireless energy and skill for connection extended past current students. He helped establish the Military Alumni Chapter for the Old Dominion University Alumni Association, and in 2023, he was named to the Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 class.
“People wanted to be a part of what he was doing,” said Krista Harrell, Ph.D. (B.S. ’01, M.S. ’03, Ph.D. ’12), associate vice president for alumni relations at Old Dominion University. “He was really the epitome of what you hope a Monarch alumnus is.”
As chair and professor of military science in the Strome College of Business, Lt. Col. Shah empowered his students to succeed and prepared them for life in the military.
“One of my favorite things about Lt. Col. Shah was his comforting honesty,” said Cecilia Fosso, cadet commander of the Monarch Battalion, at the celebration of life service. “He’d always give you the straight and narrow, but as we say in the Army, ‘Don’t bring a problem if you don’t have a solution.' He didn’t just point out where you fell short, he always had a solution ready to help us get back on our feet.”
It was a philosophy that applied to all aspects of Lt. Col. Shah’s life.
“If Brandon didn’t like something, he didn’t sit around asking why,” said Katherine Martin Shah, his wife, at the celebration of life service. “He would say, ‘Ok, what are we going to do about it?’”
She shared that if their son, Lucas, who normally got all As, got a B on a test, Lt. Col. Shah would not dwell on the result. Instead, he would quickly come up with a plan for Lucas to do better on the next one.
Katherine said her husband loved his son more than anything in this world. That protective nature carried over to his students in the most unthinkable situation.
“I truly believe that Brandon knew exactly what he was doing in those final moments,” Katherine said. “He was protecting people. He was protecting his kids.”
While Lt. Col. Shah will be remembered as a hero at Old Dominion University, his wife said he would be “horrified” at all the attention he is receiving.
“And then he would probably turn to me and say, ‘I was just doing my job.’”
The Monarch Nation is forever grateful for the heroic actions of Lt. Col. Shah and the cadets who displayed their bravery and courage without hesitation.
“Together, as Monarchs, we mourn the devasting loss of Lt. Col. Shah as we honor his life, which was marked by significant service and countless contributions,” said Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “We express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, loved ones, dear friends, trusted colleagues and all of those impacted by this horrific tragedy.”
The Monarch Battalion Unit Memorial will bring together the campus and the broader community to honor Lt. Col. Shah at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The memorial is open to students, faculty, staff and the public with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. at the stadium’s West Gate entrance.
In this time of mourning, we are Monarch Strong as we both honor and reflect upon the life and legacy of a beloved Monarch, Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah (B.S. ’07).