FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO–The University of Montevallo has announced that the speaker for spring commencement ceremonies May 3 will be Maj. Gen. Frederick M. Padilla.

A career Marine, Padilla is the director of operations with Plans, Policies and Operations at Marine Headquarters in Arlington, Va. His previous assignments include serving as a commanding officer for a number of units from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to Camp Pendleton, Calif., and on the USS Canopus. He participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia as well as in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Padilla holds degrees from East Carolina University, Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, Air Command and Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College and Naval War College. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (with Combat V and two gold stars), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with gold star), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold star) and the Combat Action Ribbon (with gold star).

Spring commencement at UM will be Saturday, May 3, at 9 a.m., on the lawn of Flowerhill, the president’s home. A reception for graduates and their families will be held at 8 a.m. on the lawn of King House.