Navy vice admiral-retired returns to alma mater for Purdue winter commencement
December 21, 2014
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Carol Pottenger |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Carol Pottenger, a U.S. Navy vice admiral-retired and Purdue alumna, was keynote speaker for the winter commencement ceremonies at the university’s West Lafayette campus on Dec. 21.
Pottenger spoke during two ceremonies in Purdue’s Elliott Hall of Music. She addressed a graduating class that included approximately 1,351 undergraduate degree candidates, 308 master’s degree- and 138 doctoral degree-seekers, as well as two doctor of pharmacy degree candidates.
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A College of Technology graduate shows the joy of the moment as she walks across theElliott Hall of Music stage after receiving her degree. Nearly 1,800 students took part in one of two Purdue University ceremonies on Sunday (Dec. 21). (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
Students in the colleges of Health and Human Sciences, Science, Technology, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine, and School of Management participated in the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Mallory K. Rotondo, a student in the College of Health and Human Sciences from Winchester Center, Connecticut, was the student responder.
The 2:30 p.m. ceremony included graduating candidates from the colleges of Agriculture, Education, Engineering and Liberal Arts. Emelia L. Kratz, a student in the College of Agriculture from LaGrange, Indiana, was the student responder.
Pottenger graduated from Purdue in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in history. She was commissioned as an ensign through the Naval ROTC shortly thereafter and was one of the first women selected for sea duty in 1978. She served aboard several ships in increasing levels of responsibility, assuming command of the USS Shasta in 1996 and the USS Bridge in 2001.
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Purdue President Mitch Daniels applauds the university's newest graduates during Sunday (Dec. 21) morning's commencement ceremony. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
In 2006 Pottenger became the first female to command a strike group, located in Okinawa, Japan. Two years later, she took command of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, responsible for 40,000 sailors. She was promoted to vice admiral in 2010 and led efforts in capability development for NATO. Retiring in 2013, she now serves on the board of directors for the U.S. Navy Memorial and Intuidex. She also works as a private consultant for the international oil and gas industry.
Pottenger received an honorary doctorate from Purdue in May 2007. In her decorated naval career, her honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Order of St. George presented by Bulgaria.
Commencement videos will be available for $30 per DVD. Order forms can be obtained at the Loeb Playhouse box office, online at http://www.purdue.edu/registrar/pdf/DVD_Form.pdf or by calling 765-494-3933. Forms may be submitted after the ceremony within two weeks of the event.
Related information: Photo gallery of the December 2014 commencement, http://purdue.photoshelter.com/gallery/Winter-Commencement-2014/G0000fJiuW841CuY
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Christine DeHahn Pass, senior assistant registrar, 765-494-6163, dehahn@purdue.edu
