The E.J. Ourso College of Business will host Russel Honoré as the keynote speaker May 18 at its diploma ceremony. Honoré is a retired lieutenant general and the 33rd commanding general of the U.S. Army at Fort Gillem, Ga. 
According to a College of Business news release, the Lakeland native graduated from Southern University in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture.
He also holds a master’s degree in human resources from Troy State University and several honorary doctorate degrees in public administration, law and humane letters.
In 2005, Honoré led the Department of Defense during hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He also led the Joint Task Force Katrina, where he commanded active-duty troops for recovery operations.
He has since supported the Department of Defense for four of the past six hurricane seasons.
Honoré retired in 2008 after 37 years in the Army. He still speaks nationally about preparedness, most notably at the National Evacuation Conference in 2010.
“We’re very excited to have him come speak,” said Wendy Luedtke, director of alumni and external relations for the College of Business.
The diploma ceremony will be held at the PMAC. ____ Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]