Keynote Speaker: Brigadier General Laura A. McHugh
Brigadier General Laura McHugh was appointed Deputy Adjutant General–Army for the Pennsylvania National Guard in April 2021, after serving as Chief of Staff.
She has held numerous diverse positions throughout her 37 years of service with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PAARNG), including: 213th Regional Support Group Commander, Joint Force Headquarters State G1, Service Member and Family Support Division Chief, and Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander. Her most memorable assignment was her time serving as the 131st Transportation Company Commander, with whom she deployed to Iraq from February 2003 – May 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (fifth award), Army Commendation Medal (fifth award), Air Force Commendation Medal (second award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (sixth award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and numerous state awards. She also holds the Parachutist and Recruiter Basic badges.
Brigadier General McHugh graduated from the U.S. Army War College in July 2015, earning a master’s degree in strategic studies. She earned her master’s degree in leadership and business ethics from Duquesne University in May 2009. She was commissioned through Scranton University’s ROTC program in 1991, upon earning her bachelor’s degree in finance from King’s College.
Brigadier General McHugh currently resides in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, with her husband Dan, a PAARNG retiree. They have two adult children, Brennan and Kaitlyn, and welcomed their first granddaughter last summer.
Student Speaker: Abby Nichole Morneau
Abby Morneau is a criminal justice major from Orwigsburg, PA. During her time at Penn State Schuylkill, she has participated in Thon and Lion Ambassadors, and she completed an internship at the Schuylkill County Adult Probation/Parole Department. Beyond academics, Abby enjoys outdoor activities such as golf, fishing, kayaking, and nature walks.