U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen to Deliver Commencement Address at Rensselaer at Hartford’s 46th Commencement Exercises

Vice Admiral Thad Allen, chief of staff, United States Coast Guard, will address the 530 graduates, their families and friends, and members of Rensselaer’s faculty and staff at the 46th Commencement Exercises for Rensselaer at Hartford Saturday, May 31, beginning at 11 a.m. President Shirley Ann Jackson will preside over the ceremony.

Allen assumed duties as chief of staff, U.S. Coast Guard and commanding officer, Coast Guard Headquarters, in May 2002. He is third in command of the Coast Guard and is responsible for all planning, budget, and personnel functions of the service. Prior to this assignment he served as commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Fifth Coast Guard District; and U.S. Maritime Defense Zone, Atlantic, where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard activities in an area of responsibility spanning five Coast Guard Districts, over 14 million square miles, involving 26,000 military and civilian employees, and 27,900 auxiliarists. In response to terrorist events in September 2001, VADM Allen led the effort to divert numerous assets to support local port commanders and establish critical command and control capability through the Atlantic area. He served as the executive agent for the Coast Guard in operations in support of Commander Fleet Forces Command, Joint Forces Command and NORAD; developing the interim Homeland Security campaign plan and joint Anti-terrorism and Force Protection procedures.

Among the members of the outstanding Class of 2002-2003 are two Rensselaer at Hartford staff members, 15 students receiving their second advanced degree from Rensselaer, two students receiving their third advanced degree from Rensselaer, one student receiving his fourth advanced degree from Rensselaer, three students receiving dual master’s degrees, and three married couples.