Gerald Hoewing

Vice Adm. Gerald Hoewing (ISU 1971 alum) received an honorary doctorate during spring commencement at Purdue University. Purdue awarded 10 honorary doctorates during spring commencement Purdue University awarded 10 honorary doctorate degrees during commencement ceremonies this spring. Nine of the honorary doctorates were presented during ceremonies May 10-12 in the Elliott Hall of Music on the West Lafayette campus. Another was presented May 12 during the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. One of the 2013 honorees is an ISU alum: Vice Adm. Gerald L. Hoewing of Pensacola, Fla., who was the 53rd chief of naval personnel. Hoewing received his commission in May 1971 through the NROTC Scholarship Program and was designated a naval aviator in August 1972. He served with Attack Squadrons 147, 122 and 94, and completed several western Pacific deployments aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). In 1993, he assumed command of the fast combat logistics support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3), deploying to the Mediterranean in support of the USS Theodore Roosevelt battle group. In January 1995, he became the 20th commanding officer of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). He later served as the senior military assistant to the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness in Washington, D.C. In 2002, Hoewing assumed the duties of chief of naval personnel/deputy chief of naval operations (manpower and personnel). He received a doctor of education degree at 9:30 a.m. on May 11.