167th Commencement

About Robert B. Neller

General Neller serves as the 37th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. He previously was commander of Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Central Command; deputy commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom; assistant division commander for 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions; and president of Marine Corps University. He also served in the Policy Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Casteau, Belgium, and as director of operations of the joint staff in Washington, D.C. General Neller began his career in 1975 when he was commissioned after graduating from the University of Virginia. He served as an infantry officer in command of Marine Security Force Panama during Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty, 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion during Operation Restore Hope, 6th Marine Regiment, and 3rd Marine Division. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Advanced Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, NATO Defense College, and the Armed Forces Staff College and also holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University. A native of East Lansing, Michigan, General Neller’s son, Brett, graduated from Hillsdale College in 2006.

About Hillsdale College

Founded in 1844, Hillsdale College is an independent, coeducational, residential, liberal arts college with a student body of about 1,400. Its four-year curriculum leads to the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, and it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Hillsdale’s educational mission rests upon two principles: academic excellence and institutional independence. The College does not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for any of its operations.