Brigadier General and Houghton Alumna Selected For National Assignment

September 23, 2021

Houghton Alumna, Brig. Gen. Diane (Meserve ‘88) Dunn has been selected to serve on a six month tour at Fort Sam Houston, Texas as a deputy commanding general for U.S. Army North.

This new position for Dunn is focused on Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA), which is federal military forces provided support. This temporary duty assignment is in addition to her current position, serving as an assistant adjutant general for the Maine National Guard.

This is just one of many great accomplishments for Dunn. She was the first woman in the Maine Army National Guard to command a brigade in 2014, and more recently in 2020 was the first female general officer in the United States 200 year long history. We are proud to congratulate Brig. Gen. Dunn on this important assignment and look forward to seeing her excel in this position.

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve at the national level in a position that directly supports all 54 states and territories, their governors, and their citizens,” Dunn told readMedia. “Especially at a time when the National Guard is such an integral partner.”

“One of the pleasures of working in higher education for long periods of time is to watch a career develop over time. Such is the case with Diane Meserve Dunn, ‘88. I was the presiding official when she was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation, and I was privileged to read her commissioning oath to her last year when she was promoted to Brigadier General. Had you known her as a college student, you could have predicted this kind of success - leadership was the hallmark of her involvement as a Houghton student, and she has developed those characteristics during more than 30 years of service to our country. As a retired Army officer, and someone who served in the Army’s administrative corps, I am aware that less than 1% of officers attain the rank of general. Those in the National Guard follow career patterns somewhat different from those in the active army. To be recognized for selection to serve in a national assignment with the Army by a National Guard officer is the epitome of success and attests to her value to the U.S. Armed Forces. Houghton College can be justly proud of Diane, as an honored alumna.”

Houghton College

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Brigadier General and Houghton Alumna Selected For National Assignment

Photo by Lucas Sankey