A veteran of more than three decades with the Alabama National Guard is the new head of Mississippi State's G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America's Veterans.
Retired Army Colonel Kenneth D. "Ken" McRae leads the university program established in 2006 to provide comprehensive, professional services to student veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors. (For more on the CAV, visit www.veterans.msstate.edu/.)
He comes to MSU from Millsaps College in Jackson, where he served as assistant dean of admissions since retiring from the military in 2005.
McRae is an Blountsville, Ala., native and 33-year Army National Guard member. He holds a political science degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a master's in public administration and procurement/acquisition management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo.
"Mississippi State is a unique place," McRae said. "It historically has a background of strong ties and relationships with the military and is one of the top military-friendly universities in the nation. I am honored to have the opportunity be a part of that tradition."
From 1981-93, McRae also was executive director of the National Guard Association of Alabama. Additionally, he has worked as an independent consultant, advising clients in areas of government relations and contracts.
He succeeds Andrew Rendon, who has returned to active military duty.
