Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller to Deliver 2019 Hillsdale College Commencement Address
Hillsdale, Mich.— Hillsdale College announces that General Robert B. Neller, commandant of the United States Marine Corps, will deliver the commencement address at the College’s 167th commencement ceremony on May 11, 2019.
“General Neller has a long record of exemplary service to his country, and we look forward to welcoming him to campus for this special occasion,” said David Whalen, Hillsdale College provost. “He has committed his life to protecting our nation’s freedoms. It will be a privilege to have his perspective and advice to close out the college careers of our graduating students.”
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.
The College welcomes media coverage of Commencement. Media interested in attending must register in advance by contacting Ashton Waite at [email protected] or (517) 607-2919.