May 8, 2009

General to TROY graduates: Prepare to lead

TROY—More than 600 Troy University graduates were charged by a U.S. Air Force general Friday morning to prepare to assume leadership roles in education, law, medicine, business and public service as they enter the next phase of their lives.

Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck, keynote speaker for the ceremony, said those who received diplomas Friday were a rare breed of achievers.

“Only two thirds of those who enter eighth grade will graduate from high school,” said Peck, who serves as Commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base. “Two-thirds of them will go on to college, and only half of those will graduate.”

Friday’s commencement was the largest in Troy University history, as Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., awarded diplomas to approximately 660 students from 21 states and 13 nations outside the United States.

Peck said the TROY graduates will be called upon to solve problems in all areas of life, from health care to the economy to education.

“Our nation and our world will need your leadership, talent and knowledge to attack challenges that lay ahead,” Peck said. “All of you need to be role models.”

Gen. Peck said excellent role models should exhibit nine characteristics: integrity, honor, service, duty, respect for others, commitment and, courage, which he called the “footstool of the other virtues, upon which they stand. “Not so much physical courage but moral courage, the courage to do the right thing, is even more important.”

General Peck earned his commission upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1975. He has served as an F-15 aircraft commander, instructor pilot and standardization and evaluation flight examiner. General Peck has completed two tours on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, a joint assignment as Chief of Current Operations at U.S. Central Command and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard. The general has commanded an air operations group in Germany, an air expeditionary wing in Saudi Arabia, and the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center.