TROY – Lt. General Russel Honore, the Army general who commanded Hurricane Katrina emergency operations in New Orleans and a TROY graduate, will be the keynote speaker at Troy University’s commencement May 5.

The ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. in Sartain Hall on the Troy Campus. Some 500 students from 17 states and 12 countries are expected to take part in graduation. Although there is no charge to attend, a ticket will be required to gain admittance. Each graduate will receive an allotment of six tickets. The remaining tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of commencement at the ticket window at Sartain Hall.

General Honore, a native of Lakeland, La., is commander of the First United States Army and commander of Joint Task Force Hurricane Katrina, the military’s response to the deadly storm. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry and earned a bachelor of science degree in vocational agriculture upon graduation from Southern University and A&M College in 1971. Troy University awarded Honore a master of arts in human resources from its Montgomery Campus in 1992. He also holds an honorary doctorate in public administration from Southern University and A&M College.

General Honore has served in a variety of command and staff positions. His overseas assignments include tours in Korea and Germany. He served as commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; vice director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; deputy commanding general and assistant commandant, United States Army Infantry Center and School, Fort Benning, Ga. and assistant division commander, Maneuver/Support, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Most recently, General Honore served as commander, Standing Joint Force Headquarters – Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command.

General Honore’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

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