History Grad Guards against Terrorism

Jason Kellhofer (’98 History grad), trial attorney for the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section (DOJ NSD/CTS), assists in the investigation and prosecution of alleged terrorists. He advises the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and then collaborates with other members of the U.S. intelligence community such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) regarding highly classified investigations.

“My position requires a great amount of travel, both domestic and internationally,” Jason said. “I often meet with my foreign counterparts as well as foreign law enforcement organizations as the efforts to thwart terrorism cross borders and seas.”

Although he had intended to enter law school immediately after college, Jason received an unexpected opportunity to teach 5th and 6th grade Bible and English at Grace Christian Academy in Taipei, Taiwan. This experience opened the door for his admission into three different law schools the very next year. “I was accepted into each of the law schools I applied to: Ohio State, Cleveland State, and Regent University.  Not only was I accepted at Cleveland State, but I was also granted a full-tuition scholarship based on my academics and life experiences. I know that was God emphasizing for me that choosing Him never goes unrewarded.” He graduated with juris doctorate a semester early—with Magna Cum Laude honors.

After law school, Jason entered the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps where he spent the next six years before entering the U.S. Air Force reserves. As a Captain and then Major in the Air Force JAG Corps, he had the privilege of being the lead defense counsel in a case resulting in the only acquittal of a capital murder charge to ever occur in the U.S. Air Force. “These unique experiences equipped me to understand the intricacies of criminal investigations, trial work, foreign relations, and national security that have proven necessary for my current position as a DOJ NSD/CTS Trial Attorney.”

Looking back over his career, Jason attributes his success to the godly perspective instilled in him at PCC.

“My first day of history class freshman year, Dr. John Reese defined history as an account of the relationship between God and man. It was this perspective that defined my PCC experience. Although my history major taught me to look to the details of the past and to apply these lessons to the future and my English minor provided me the foundation to build skills in communicating, the most important thing I learned was perspective—to put God in the center and let the rest radiate from there.

“I have enjoyed serving my country and being a part of a bigger picture. Just as we are each a different part of the body of Christ, I feel that I am able to make a difference as one piece of the U.S. Government that strives to attain justice and secure our nation from foreign and domestic threats. This provides me a sense of purpose within the greater context of serving Christ.”

The History, Political Science, and Prelaw majors at PCC provide students with a solid Christian philosophy of history and government. To learn more about PCC, browse our website or call 1-800-PCC-INFO.

Published: 5/27/2011