December Commencement WVU Parkersburg

West Virginia's Adjutant General to address WVU Parkersburg December Commencement.

CONTACT: Cecelia Malhotra, registrar, 304-424-8222.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Major General Allen E. Tackett, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, Photo of Major General Allen Tackett will address graduates at the Dec. 16th Commencement at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

The 7 p.m. exercises will be held in the multi-purpose room of the College Activities Center. Approximately 185 August and December graduates will receive 220 certificates and degrees.

Serving as grand marshal will be Ron Atkinson, chair of the Social Sciences Division and senior faculty member. Marshals will be faculty members Craig Rabatin and Linda Meyers. The graduating class will be presented by Joseph Badgley, executive dean of academic affairs. WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage will confer the graduates’ certificates and degrees.

A reception for the graduates and their families will follow in the cafeteria concourse.

Major General Tackett was appointed as Adjutant General for the West Virginia National Guard in 1995. As the Adjutant General, he provides command guidance and vision to the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard of more than 6,000 citizen soldiers and airmen.

He began his military career in the WV Army National Guard as a private with the 16th Special Forces Group in 1963 and attended Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, in 1967. General Tackett served with the Special Forces 25 years culminating with his tour as the Battalion Commander, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

After 25 years with the Special Forces Battalion, he was assigned to the West Virginia State Area Command in several different positions of importance. He was promoted to the grade of Colonel in 1989. He then served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff. He has served as Adjutant General since 1995.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
304-424-8203