Connor named Honorary Commander of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Dr. Joanne Connor, chief of staff to Rowan University President Ali Houshmand and liaison to the university’s Board of Trustees, has a new title: Honorary Commander.

Connor received the title of Honorary Commander, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Sept. 24.

Noting in her application for the position her great respect for America's military women and men, Connor, whose father was a full colonel in the New Jersey Air National Guard, hopes her service as Honorary Commander will help build a strong relationship between Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Rowan.

“I understand the value of the joint base to our state and nation,” she said.

As an Honorary Commander, Connor works with Maj. Gen. Mark Palzer, commander of the 99th Readiness Division, and will attend three to four base events in the coming year. These include an induction ceremony, an Honorary Commander boot camp and participation in the 2020 Civic Leader Flyaway.

The Honorary Commanders Program, which pairs civic/community leaders with unit commanders and senior enlisted leaders, was created to increase public awareness and understanding of the Armed Forces and the mission, policies and programs of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Connor, of Haddon Heights, serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County, the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey, the Haddonfield Celebrations Association and the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce.