HONORS CONVOCATION
What is Honors Convocation?
The Honors Convocation is an opportunity for ECSU to celebrate and recognize the academic
achievements of undergraduate students with full-time enrollment. Awards will be based
on academic identified in both Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters.
Who Will Be Recognized?
All students enrolled in the University Honors Program will be recognized with Merit
of Certificate Awards. Chancellor’s Scholars (who are also members of the University
Honors Program) will receive academic blazers, as well as University Honors students
who are graduating in Spring 2022 and are completing their honors theses.
Recognition is also given to eight students in each academic department for their
high academic achievement. While only eight students can be chosen from each department,
each discipline has the opportunity to highlight the academic achievements of their
students. Also listed in the Program will be those students who have earned recognition
for being on the Chancellor’s List, Dean’s List, and Honor Roll.
Who is invited?
Faculty, Staff, students, families, and friends are welcome to attend. According to
Chancellor Dixon’s Communique, COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted but guests are
welcome to wear a mask based upon their personal preference. Other families and friends
that cannot attend are encouraged to join via livestream to support this year’s event.
Honors Convocation 2022
“Striving for Excellence During Difficult Times”
Tuesday, April 26 | 3:30 p.m.
Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center
Honors Convocation Keynote Speaker
Brigadier General Richard A. Harrison
Brigadier General Richard A. Harrison assumed responsibility as the 44th Commandant
of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School, Chief of Air Defense Artillery, and
Deputy Commanding General of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Oklahoma,
on August 20, 2020. His prior assignment was the Executive Officer to the Commanding
General of UNC/CFC/USFK.
A native of North Carolina, BG Harrison was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery
Officer in 1994 from Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in Elizabeth City, NC.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from ECSU, a Master of Arts
in Policy Management from Georgetown University, and a Master of Science in Strategic
Military Studies from the United States Army War College.
BG Harrison’s military education includes the ADA Officer Basic and Advanced Courses,
the Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), and the United States Army War
College (USAWC).
BG Harrison's first duty station was Fort Campbell, KY, where he served as an Avenger/Stinger
Platoon Leader and Battery Executive Officer in 2-44 Air Defense Artillery (ADA) from
April 1995 to May 1998. He later served at Schofield Barracks, HI as the Deputy Assistant
Division Air Defense Officer for the 25th ID (Light), Battalion S-1/Adjutant and Commander,
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-62 ADA from December 1998 to December 2001.
He later commanded Charlie Battery, 1-62 ADA, in Fort Lewis, Washington, from February
2002 to March 2003.
BG Harrison served as an Army Intern in the Immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense
from May 2003 to May 2004. From May 2004 to June 2006, he served as a Strategic Planner
and Executive Officer for the Army Initiatives Group in the Office of the Deputy Chief
of Staff, G-3/5/7. Also during this time, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OIF) serving in numerous positions at the headquarters for Military Transition
Teams in Iraq.
Upon graduation from Georgetown University, BG Harrison was stationed at Fort Bragg,
NC and served as the Executive Officer for 3-4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment (ADAR)
from June 2007 to June 2009. After graduating from CGSC, he returned to Fort Bragg
and served as the Deputy Commanding Officer for the 108th ADA Brigade and later the
Battalion Commander for 3-4 ADAR from June 2010 to May 2013. He deployed with elements
of his battalion to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Following graduation from the U.S. Army War College, BG Harrison deployed to Doha,
Qatar, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 (Forward) for the 32d Army
Air Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) from June 2014 to March 2015 in support of OEF.
BG Harrison commanded the 69th ADA Brigade at Fort Hood, TX, from June 2015 to June
2017. While serving in brigade command, BG Harrison deployed with elements of his
brigade to the CENTCOM AOR in support of OEF. In June 2017, BG Harrison relinquished
command and was immediately assigned to the Joint Staff, Pentagon. During his tenure
on the Joint Staff, BG Harrison served as the Division Chief for the Protection Division,
Joint Staff J-3 and later as the Executive Assistant/Executive Officer to the Joint
Staff J-3 from June 2017 to June 2019.
His military awards and decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal (1 OLC),
Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal,
Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service
Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), National Defense Service Medal
with one bronze star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon,
Korean Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/ numeral 4), Office of the Secretary
of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Staff Identification Badge, Army Staff Identification
Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and German and Uruguayan Airborne Wings.
BG Harrison is married to the former Tyra Jones of Navassa, North Carolina and they
have three children, Aliyah (24), Alexa (20), and Collin (15).