October 24, 2022

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University will honor veterans in recognition of their service to our nation with a program at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. (ET).

Retired Major General Richard “Rick” Stevens is the keynote speaker. The Veterans Day program will feature performances by the VU Pep and Concert bands. The program will also include a video montage celebrating VU veterans.

The event will also be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2nnlgOh-0U&authuser=0.

The Veterans Day program is sponsored annually by the VU Support Staff Council. 

About Major General (Retired) Richard Stevens

A native of Vincennes, Indiana, Major General (Retired) Richard L. Stevens completed over 35-years of service in the U.S. Army, culminating as the Deputy Chief of Engineers/Deputy Commanding General for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In that position, he was second-in-command of over 37,000 Civilian employees, and 600 Military personnel who provide project management and construction support to 250 Army and Air Force installations in more than 100 countries around the world.

Major General Stevens received his commission as an Engineer officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1982. Throughout his career, he held a variety of command and staff positions including service with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Department of Mathematical Sciences at West Point, New York, 3rd U.S. Army in Kuwait and both the 24th and 3rd Infantry Divisions at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

He commanded the 11th Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, the 36th Engineer Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas and the Pacific Ocean Division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. His operational assignments include service in Kuwait, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Major General Stevens served multiple duty assignments within the Headquarters, Department of the Army at the Pentagon, most notably with the Army G8, Office of the Chief of Engineers and as the Executive Officer to the 36th Army Chief of Staff.

He holds Masters of Science degrees in Applied Mathematics from Purdue University and National Security Strategy from the National War College. He also served as an Army Senior Military Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (two oak leaf clusters), Bronze Star Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (five oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Sapper Tab, Air Assault Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Silver Order of the Engineer Regiment’s de Fleury Medal.

Upon retirement from military service, Major General Stevens joined the Washington, D.C. government relations consulting firm Dawson & Associates as Senior Vice President/Director of Business Development. He is also an Honorary Board Member of the Indiana Military Museum.

Major General Stevens is married to the former Terri Steckler, also from Vincennes, and they have three children.

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