One of the highlights of Homecoming week for the University of Montana is usually a Saturday morning parade.

Well, while we don't have a parade this year, there are other noteworthy events to acknowledge. An exciting college football game featuring your awesome Montana Grizzlies, of course. And also a salute to a Missoula native and University of Montana graduate's lifetime achievements.

UM News Services let us know about an honorary doctorate being bestowed upon groundbreaking University of Montana graduate Colleen McGuire. She was the first woman from Montana to rise to the rank of brigadier general. She was the first woman ever to serve as provost marshal general of the U.S. Army, leading its highest law enforcement office. She was the first female commander of the Army’s Criminal Investigations Command, as well as the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

And now, Colleen has earned her first honorary doctorate. The Montana Board of Regents approved UM’s recommendation to present her with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. The University will bestow the degree December 18 during Fall Commencement ceremonies.

A Missoula native and graduate of Sentinel High School, General McGuire earned an undergraduate degree from UM’s School of Journalism in 1979. During her time on campus, she was a student leader in ROTC, a cheerleader, a rugby player and a member of Delta Gamma Sorority.

During her 32-year military career, she earned two more degrees: a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, and a Master of National Security and Strategic Studies from the Army War College in Pennsylvania.

Her career included overseas missions to Iraq, Germany and Somalia. Her last position was at the Pentagon, serving as director of manpower and personnel on the Joint Staff.

What an incredible body of work! And a credit to everything the University of Montana represents.

Congratulations to Brigadier General/Honorary Doctorate recipient Colleen McGuire, who lives in Kalispell and owns a cattle ranch in eastern Oregon.

Again, our thanks to UM News Services for providing details.

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