El Camino College is pleased to welcome retired Major General Megan Tatu as the 2018 commencement speaker. The ECC distinguished alumna will address the Class of 2018 at the 71st Annual Commencement Ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, June 8 in Murdock Stadium.

Tatu retired from the U.S. Army in 2017 after 39 years active and reserve service, having commanded at every level, from platoon to division, with duty in Germany, Iraq and the United States. At the time of her retirement, she served as the U.S. Army Reserve Command Chief of Staff at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. After graduating from El Camino College with an associate degree in general studies, Tatu transferred to UCLA where she attended on an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps. In 2014, Tatu was named an El Camino College Distinguished Alumni, an award that recognizes and honors outstanding ECC alumni for achievement in their chosen career and service to the community.

Tatu completed the Signal Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College where she earned a Master of Science in strategic studies. Her awards and decorations include two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legion of Merit Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, and five Meritorious Service Medals.

In June 2006, Tatu mobilized and deployed as the commander, 164th Corp Support Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. Upon return from theater, she served as the deputy commanding general, 311th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Shafter, Hawaii. She was next assigned as the commanding general, Pacific Training Division, 75th Training Command (Mission Command) at Camp Parks, California. From 2013 until 2015, she served as the commanding general of the 79th Sustainment Support Command, responsible for the readiness of 20,000 logistics soldiers in a 19-state region. She also served on the Secretary of the Army's Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, a position she held from 2010-2013.

She and her husband of 35 years, Mike, have three grown sons: Glendon, Colin and Shane. Colin is a sergeant in the Army, currently serving with the 173D Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy, and Shane is a sailor in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Lake Erie based in San Diego, California.

For more information about El Camino College's 2018 commencement, including parking and seating arrangements, view: http://www.elcamino.edu/student/commencement/.