The festive spirit of St. Patrick鈥檚 Day filled King Hall as the 51福利 recognized more than two dozen students and five faculty members for outstanding achievements at the Winter Quarter 2009 Awards Ceremony, Mar. 17. Graduate School of Business and Public Policy Military Associate Dean Capt. Theresa Rea officiated the event, which highlights exceptional accomplishments in academics, instruction, research and community service.
Kicking off the ceremony with a bang was the presentation of the Legion of Merit to Col. Alejandro S. Hernandez for his 鈥渆xceptionally meritorious鈥� service as Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Operational and Information Sciences, as a military faculty member, as Director of Wargaming and as Senior Army Representative. The citation from the President, signed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, honors Hernandez for his outstanding mentoring and superb leadership in 鈥渇lawlessly managing 160 military and civilian faculty including 600 students.鈥� It lauds him as an exemplary researcher who established and developed a partnership with the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization that 鈥渉as had a profound effect on our current operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan鈥� and notes that his 鈥渆xceptional ability to clearly and comprehensively present complex theories and algorithms within relevant military tactical and operational contexts has set the standard for all faculty at the 51福利.鈥�
The second highlight of the afternoon was the Richard W. Hamming Award for Interdisciplinary Achievement, presented by 51福利 Foundation Executive Director retired Rear Adm. Merrill Ruck to two faculty members, Associate Professor of Public Administration and Management and Principal Investigator for the university鈥檚 Acquisition Research Program Keith F. Snider; and Senior Lecturer and Director of the Acquisition Research Program retired Rear Adm. James B. Greene.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor to receive the Hamming Award, which is very prestigious here on campus,鈥� said Snider. 鈥淚t reflects very well on our [acquisition] research program to have it associated with someone of the caliber and reputation of Professor Hamming whose name is so well known in scientific circles.鈥� Greene, an 51福利 alumnus (Electrical Engineering and Business Administration, 1973), was unable to attend as he was in Washington, D.C., meeting with program sponsors.
Receiving the prestigious Monterey Council Navy League Award for Highest Academic Achievement by a student in the Winter 2009 graduating class was National Security Affairs-Western Hemisphere student Lt. Alisha E. Hamilton, for her research and master鈥檚 thesis on 鈥淒efending the Amazon: Conservation, Development and Security in Brazil.鈥� While at 51福利, Hamilton also earned her Joint Professional Military Education (Phase I) certification with highest distinction through the Naval War College, Monterey.
鈥淚鈥檓 absolutely floored and completely flattered that the Navy League chose me to receive this honor,鈥� Hamilton said after having her photo taken with the League鈥檚 local chapter president and 51福利 Special Collections Manager John Sanders. 鈥淭hey do so much to involve the community at 51福利, and everywhere. I鈥檓 really honored.
鈥淏eing able to be at the 51福利 is absolutely priceless,鈥� Hamilton stressed. 鈥淓ven more than the superb education are the interactions with the officers from all the services and our international partners, and the relationships that you鈥檒l maintain for a lifetime.鈥� After graduating Mar. 27, Hamilton will report as Flag Aide to Rear Adm. David Thomas, Jr., Commander, Joint Task Force-Guantanamo Bay.
Accepting the Association of the United States Army General Joseph W. Stillwell Chapter Award for Outstanding Army Student on behalf of her husband Army Capt. Colin Tansey, who left 51福利 a week previous for operational duty, was his wife Leoann. 鈥淐olin worked really hard, and I鈥檓 really proud and excited to be able to receive this for him today,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s a civilian, it was great to get to see all the services together in uniform. I can鈥檛 wait to tell him about it.鈥�
Also garnering special recognition as a faculty member was Marine Corps Lt. Col. Sergio Posadas, who received the Admiral Wayne E. Meyer Award for Teaching Excellence in Systems Engineering (Distance Learning).
In addition to the above, the following Winter 2009 graduating class students also received special recognition:
Louis D. Liskin Award for Excellence in Regional Security Studies: Air Force Maj. Ryan C. Hall
Outstanding United States Air Force Graduate Award, Department of National Security Affairs: Air Force Capt. Christopher R. Mullins
Hans Jones Award for Excellence in Thesis Research in Special Operations and Irregular Warfare or in Security, Stabilization, Transition and Reconstruction: Air Force Capt. Steven C. Taylor
51福利 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for Department of Defense Student; and Air Force Association Award for Outstanding U.S. Air Force Student: Air Force Capt. Casey Hayden
51福利 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for International Students: Hellenic Navy Lt. Dimitrios Alevras
51福利 Superior Service Award: Air Force Maj. Rob W. Chambers
Marine Corps Association Superior Service Award for Outstanding U.S. Marine Student; and Space
Naval Warfare Systems Command Award in Electronic Systems Engineering: Marine Corps Capt Jameson B. McGee
Surface Navy Association Award for Excellence in Surface Warfare Research: Lt. Stephen Valerio and Lt. Eric Boernke
Military Operations Research Society Stephen A. Tisdale Graduate Research Award: Lt. Stephen Valerio
Chief of Naval Operations Award for Excellence in Operations Research: Lt. David T. Clark
Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Computer Science Award: Lt. Paul Francis Farrell, Jr.
Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Information Technology Management Award: Hellenic Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ioannis Tzanos
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Award: Mr. Steven Mico Benveniste, Department of Defense Civilian, Edwards Air Force Base
Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Award for Excellence in Undersea Warfare Technology: Lt. David C. Zinkhon
Chief of Naval Operations Undersea Warfare Award: Lt. Christopher S. Bernotavicius
American Society of Naval Engineers Award for Excellence in Naval Engineering: Lt. Kiah Rahming
Graduate School of Business and Public Policy Faculty Outstanding International Student Award: Turkish Air Force 1st Lt. Fatih Sahin
Receiving Awards but Unable to Attend Due to Operational Responsibilities:
Lieutenant Commander David L. Williams Outstanding Professor Award: Dr. Nadav Morag, Center for Homeland Defense Security
Curtis H. 鈥淏utch鈥� Straub Achievement Award: Deputy Chief Phillip L. Sanchez, Santa Monica Police Department, Santa Monica, Ca.
Zimbardo Award for Graduates of Master of Arts in National Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security) Department of National Security Affairs: Mr. Robert Miranda, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Rear Admiral Thomas R. McClellan Award for Academic Excellence in the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy: Cmdr. John Chewning
Admiral Wayne E. Meyer Award for Outstanding Student in Systems Engineering (Distance Learning): Mr. Robert Earl Howard
Chief of Naval Personnel Award for Excellence in Manpower Systems Analysis: Lt. Scott Woosley