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CDR Meghan A. Michael, US Navy, Retired to serve as guest speaker Lourdes University offers a Veterans Day event on Friday, November 10 at 4 p.m. outside the Franciscan Center, 6832 Convent Blvd., in Sylvania. The featured speaker is Commander Meghan A. Michael, United States Navy, Retired. Light refreshments will be served directly after the event. If inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the Franciscan Center. “We are pleased to welcome such an accomplished senior officer of the United States Navy to lead us in honoring this country’s veterans,” says Gary Bentley, M.B.A., Lourdes University Director of the Lourdes MBA Program and Retired Executive Officer, 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard. Commander Meghan A. Michael In September 2017, CDR Meghan A. Michael retired from the U.S. Navy after serving her country for 20 years. During her distinguished career, she flew over 1,500 hours in military aircraft and earned numerous designations including P-3C Mission Commander/Tactical Coordinator, Professional in Human Resources, and Master Training Specialist. CDR Michael’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal First Strike Flight Award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various other personal and unit awards. A native of San Jose, CA, CDR Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Spanish minor from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego. She was commissioned in 1997 and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in July 1998. CDR Michael reported for training as a P-3C Navigator/Communicator at Fleet Replacement Squadron (VP-30) in Jacksonville, FL. She then reported to Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) in Kaneohe, HI in July 1999 where she made two deployments; first to SEVENTH Fleet flying missions throughout Asia and to FIFTH Fleet in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Upon return from her second deployment, CDR Michael transferred to Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific in San Diego, CA as an instructor of the Theater Battle Management Core Systems User Course. CDR Michael left Active Duty in March 2005 and affiliated with the Navy Selected Reserves. In March 2006, she was selected for the Navy Full Time Support community and reported to Navy Operational Support Center San Jose, CA as the Executive Officer. In July 2008, CDR Michael transferred to Navy Region Northwest, Reserve Component Command, Everett, WA where she served as the N1, Director, Reserve Personnel Management. In July 2011, CDR Michael reported to Navy Personnel Command, Millington, TN as the PERS-4G2, Augmentation Division, Active Duty for Special Work Branch Head. Her final position before retirement in September 2017, was as Commanding Officer, Navy Operational Support Center Toledo. Lourdes University Rooted in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, Lourdes University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, and offers baccalaureate degrees in a variety of academic majors as well as graduate degrees in business, education, nursing, organizational leadership, social work, and theology. Community outreach programs include the Appold Planetarium, the Center for Science Education & the Environment, and Lifelong Learning. A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Lourdes students can also compete in a variety of men’s and women’s sports. Named a “Best in the Midwest” college by the Princeton Review, Lourdes University is a nationally accredited, veteran and transfer-friendly institution offering a variety of student scholarships. Explore the possibilities online at www.lourdes.edu or by phone at 419-885-3211.