General Darren McDew to speak at R-MA commencement

General Darren W. McDew, USAF, Retired, as the speaker for the school’s commencement ceremony. Photo courtesy R-MA.

Randolph-Macon Academy will welcome General Darren W. McDew, USAF, Retired, as the speaker for the school’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Melton Memorial Gymnasium.

Upon graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1982, Gen McDew received his commission and began his flying career at Loring AFB, Maine. Over his 36-year career, his staff assignments included “serving as a member of the Air Force Chief of Staff Operations Group, Air Force aide to the President, chief of the Air Force Senate Liaison Division and the director of Air Force Public Affairs. Gen McDew served as vice director for strategic plans and policy for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.” Over the years, he commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels as well as at an Air Force direct reporting unit. He deployed in support of ongoing operations in Central and Southwest Asia as an air expeditionary group commander and later as the director of mobility forces. His last three assignments were at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where he served as the commander of 18th Air Force, then the commander of Air Mobility Command, and finally completed his service as the commander, U.S. Transportation Command. Gen McDew retired in October of 2018. (For his full list of military assignments and awards, see his official Air Force biography online.)

The commencement ceremony will be the culmination of graduation week at Randolph-Macon Academy. The Class of 2019 will reminisce together during a Class Dinner on the evening of Wednesday, May 15th. On Thursday, May 16th, they will celebrate the Baccalaureate Service in Boggs Chapel at 7:00 p.m. The Final Awards Ceremony will be held at 10:00 am on Friday the 17th, followed by the traditional Senior Luncheon (which includes senior speeches, laughter, and tears) at 11:30 a.m. in Turner Hall. The seniors’ final commitment to the Air Force Junior ROTC program will be the Final Parade at 2:00 p.m., during which they will be “dismissed” for the final time.

Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12.  Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.