Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is honored to announce the selection of Lieutenant Colonel Dean A. Huard as the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus. Dean has distinguished himself in all aspects of his life and continues to demonstrate strong leadership, commitment to community, and service to others. Don Miller, Jr. nominated Huard and shared that he “was always impressed with Dean’s innate ability to want to do and achieve more for others. He is a caring, charismatic leader.” Huard is highly respected by commanders, colleagues and friends. In 2002, Brigadier General John S. Gong wrote, “Huard, unequivocally, was one of my best commanders in the DISCOM (Divisional Support Command), 40th Infantry Division. His military achievements are many and include a Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Commendation Medal. Service is second nature to Huard as his father was an officer in the United States Coast Guard, which is what originally brought the family to the Bay Area in 1986. Dean was active both on and off campus, helping found the Democrats of Coos County, was elected Associated Student Government President his sophomore year, and served as an aide to Representative DeFazio. Upon completing his general studies at SWOCC, Dean transferred to the University of Oregon to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Public Management from American Public University in West Virginia, a Certificate of Advanced Supply Chain Management at St. Louis University, and completed the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Course in 2014. His education is extensive throughout his military career as well as he graduated from numerous military schools over the years. Dean has been deployed to the Middle East several times and is currently serving in Kuwait. Dean returned to the Bay Area where he was a successful business owner and once again active in the local community through his involvement with Jaycees and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and serving in the local National Guard unit as a Platoon leader and Company Commander. “Dean has lived an admirable life of service to his community and country. He has always led ‘from the front,’ ” Miller shared. Whether coaching his children’s sports teams, mentoring soldiers with their career plans, preparing troops for deployment, or commanding soldiers abroad, Huard has lead an impressive life of service. Lieutenant Colonel Huard shared that “SWOCC offers transfer students many things: a chance to develop needed skills, low student-faculty ratios, instructors who are here to make learning easier and low tuition. It’s a great place to start a bright future.” SWOCC is proud to select LTC Dean Huard as the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus!
