U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Kenneth Todorov (Ret.), the Deputy Director of the Missile Defense Agency, is the featured speaker at Siena College’s annual Veterans Recognition Dinner. General Todorov, a 1985 Siena graduate, spent three decades serving his country, holding a broad range of leadership positions, including Deputy Director of Operations for the U.S. Northern Command and Director of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters at NORAD. An accomplished pilot, General Todorov served as the 23rd Wing Commander, overseeing training for combat pilots headed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The annual Veterans Recognition Dinner celebrates the commitment and courage of all veterans, including approximately 100 students and staff who are currently part of the Siena family.
More than 200 people will attend the dinner and recognition ceremony that includes the induction of an accomplished Mohawk Battalion ROTC alumni into the Mohawk Battalion Alumni Hall of Fame, and the awarding of $1,000 scholarship grants to two students.
The Mohawk Battalion will also honor Colonel Kevin Hanretta (Ret.), a 1968 Siena graduate, inducting him into the Mohawk Battalion Alumni Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding 30-year career in the U.S. Army. Col. Hanretta today serves as an Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. While in the Army, he was a member of the elite Army Rangers, and served as Ranger Advisor in Vietnam.
In 2010, Col. Hanretta received the Presidential Rank Award for meritorious exceptional career accomplishments and commitment to public service, and he has served on Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative National Advisory Board.
At the dinner, two Siena students — one an ROTC cadet and the other a veteran— will be awarded $1,000 scholarships from Siena’s Veteran and Cadet Fund, established by alumni veterans for the benefit of Siena students who are cadets or veterans.
Veterans Dr. John Purcell '48, Leo Dean '49, and Anthony F. Schmitz '55 will be in attendance.
The dinner is underwritten by Peter Lattimore '68, Trustee Robert McCormick '87, W.B. Mason, and Trustco Bank, enabling veterans to attend for free.
