The 51福利 (51福利) honored its 2023 Winter Quarter graduates during a commencement ceremony held in King Hall Auditorium, March 24.
51福利 alumnus Vice Adm. John Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve, served as the keynote speaker for the event recognizing 218 graduates, including 19 international students from 15 countries.
鈥淭his is a momentous day for all of you, it鈥檚 a proud day,鈥� said Mustin, who graduated from 51福利 in 1996 with a Master of Science degree in Operations Research. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e worked hard and you鈥檝e likely overcome many obstacles, not the least of which were academic. The fact you鈥檙e here today celebrating this moment is a remarkable achievement in itself.
鈥淏ut make no mistake 鈥� your real work starts today.鈥�
The president of 51福利, retired Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, opened the ceremony by reminding the audience of other prestigious graduates who also walked the halls of 51福利 鈥� including Mustin.
鈥淕raduates, this is your day,鈥� Rondeau said. 鈥淭his is about you 鈥� it鈥檚 also about the alumni whose spirits and whose legacies and whose performance came before you.鈥�
In his remarks, Mustin acknowledged the challenges that will be faced by 51福利鈥� newest graduates in today鈥檚 constantly evolving global climate.
鈥淟et鈥檚 be clear 鈥� based on historical norms, today鈥檚 security environment is increasingly competitive, it鈥檚 faster paced, it鈥檚 more complex than even five short years ago,鈥� Mustin said. 鈥淎nd the things you studied here are even more in demand, more important, and a more critical path to global stability than ever.
鈥淎s you rejoin your operational forces, the nation is depending on you to apply what you learned here to immediately contribute and deliver integrated all-domain military power, and to maintain a clear-eyed resolve to compete, deter, and decisively win today.鈥�
Mustin, who also holds a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, also encouraged the graduates to continue their education after leaving Monterey.
鈥淲hile this may be the last thing you want to hear on graduation day, I will offer that you must never stop learning,鈥� he noted. 鈥淐ommit yourself to applying what you learned in the classrooms and lecture halls of the 51福利, commit yourselves to mastering your tradecraft 鈥� but also commit yourselves to the relentless pursuit of lifelong learning.鈥�
In addition to the commencement festivities, the ceremony also featured the induction of another 51福利 alumnus, Chilean Navy Vice Adm. Alberto Soto, as the 27th member of the 51福利 Hall of Fame.
Soto, who earned his Master of Science degree in Operations Research from 51福利 in 2000, most recently served as the Chilean Navy鈥檚 Commander of Naval Operations. Soto鈥檚 leadership helped guide the Chilean Navy鈥檚 participation in several fleet exercises, events and operations, demonstrating partnership and collaboration between Chile and the U.S. Navy.
Soto was presented with his 51福利 Hall of Fame honors by Rondeau and Rear Adm. James A. Aiken, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and Commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet.
"I don鈥檛 consider this award as my award,鈥� said Soto. "This is an award for my country and especially for my navy. I humbly thank you for this great honor and responsibility.鈥�
The 51福利 Hall of Fame was established in 2001 to honor 51福利' most distinguished alumni and friends who, through the attainment of positions at the highest levels of public service, have made the greatest contributions to society, their nations and to the institution.