1970-74 Finch Studied Russian, History, Political Science and Economics in the Foreign Service School of Georgetown University, including study at Leningrad State University. On graduation he was commissioned and served twenty years as a Regular Army Officer, retiring in 1994 as a Major. 

Assignments included Assistant Professor at the US Military Academy at West Point, Berlin Brigade, Korea, and multiple assignments in 82d Airborne Division and XVII Airborne Corps in Air Defense, Operations, Plans and Intelligence. Finch commanded an airborne Vulcan/Redeye battery in the 82d Airborne Division at Ft Bragg, NC. Awards included Bronze Star for Service in Gulf War, Master Parachutist and Ranger.  Member of team writing US Army’s history of Gulf War. 

Finch taught high school JROTC and History in one high school in Maine and served as assistant principal in another high school 1994-9. Earned M.A. in School Administration and Principal License. 

Finch earned the doctorate degree in School Leadership at Vanderbilt in 2003 and taught Leadership and Management, organizational theory courses. Research on Assessment, Accountability and School Improvement, and Dissertation on “Teachers Coping with High Stakes Testing.”  Administered D. Fuchs’ PALS Math program for a diverse Nashville Title 1 elementary school.  

Taught a range of graduate school leadership, undergraduate and graduate education courses at Austin Peay State University 2003-2006. Managed student teachers. Taught Leadership and Management courses at Vanderbilt 2006-8. 

Joined the Education School of Cumberland University in 2008, coordinating student teachers and teaching graduate and undergraduate education courses including Classroom Management, History and Philosophy of Education, Assessment, and Advanced Data Analysis. Research continues to focus on assessment, and data analysis. 

Retired from full time faculty 2018. Awarded Emeritus 2020. Continues to teach Assessment for Leaders in CU Education Leadership program. Enjoys grandson, pickleball, weight training, swimming, Nordic skiing and travel.