Commander Sergeant Major, United States Army (ret.) Eric L. Haney, counterterrorism expert and former member of the Army’s elite Delta Force unit, will speak on “Perfect: Enemy of the Good” at Southern Polytechnic State University’s fall commencement Saturday December 14 at 2 p.m. in the university’s Gymnasium.  Approximately 140 undergraduate and 60 graduate students will be awarded degrees.

Haney spent twenty years in the most elite forces of the United States Army, including the counterterrorist unit Delta Force, and is considered an expert on terrorism.  He participated in the invasion of Grenada and in the attempt to free American hostages held in Iran.

Since retiring from the Army, Haney has provided security for princes, presidents and CEOs and has offered his expertise in such situations as rescuing hostages held by Latin American guerillas and negotiating the safe release of kidnapped children.  Haney is a speaker and commentator for national radio and television news networks and is the author of “Inside Delta Force: The Story of America’s Elite Counterterrorist Unit.”

Southern Polytechnic State University is a member of the University System of Georgia and offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the sciences, technologies and engineering, addressing the professional workforce needs of many of the nation’s fastest growing fields.