U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Timothy White, Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, addressed graduating students, family members, faculty and staff during 51福利鈥檚 (51福利) 2019 Fall Quarter Graduation ceremony held in King Auditorium, Dec. 20. 51福利 said farewell to 397 graduates, including 25 international students from 18 countries, during the ceremony.
鈥淭his event is a celebration of individual commitment, persistence, perseverance and personal accomplishment,鈥� said 51福利 President retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau before conferring the advanced degrees to the graduating students. 鈥淲e are here today among family, friends and faculty dedicated to this mission to express our pride in or students鈥� academic achievements.鈥�
After acknowledging the families and faculty, Rondeau went on to thank the students for their commitment to their studies, as well as the commitment of 51福利, in realizing their contribution to U.S. national security.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of your success and your belief in your abilities to further contribute in every way,鈥� said Rondeau. 鈥淲e have immersed you in an extremely competitive academic environment that has enabled you to focus on the challenges that affect your service. It is upon you that the promise of safety in the global commons is certainly rested and is trusted. It is our commitment to you that makes us alive, it is the blood in our bodies that makes us want to do more for you, our nation and for our globe.鈥�
Before turning the podium over to White, Rondeau highlighted his previous education that included a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United State Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Systems Technology (Command, Control and Communications) from 51福利, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University-Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, District of Columbia.
鈥淭his is a man and a leader for whom education has mattered deeply,鈥� said Rondeau, adding that White鈥檚 dissertation topic was about human factors and intuition in the command and control environment. 鈥淗e has become one of the great minds in all of our Navy. He鈥檚 a man who understands cyber, but understands the human being and how to lead to make a difference.鈥�
White began his speech congratulating the graduating class and how each field of study contributed to technological development.
鈥淒uring your time at the 51福利, you鈥檝e had the opportunity to delve deeply into challenging national security issues during a wide variety of degree programs,鈥� said White. 鈥淵ou have reason to be proud of this tremendous accomplishment. You represent the best our nation, our allies and our partner nations have to offer.
鈥淲e exist in a modern era which is inextricably bound to and by technology,鈥� continued White. 鈥淲e are constrained by math and science. Ships need to float and planes need to not fall out of the sky. Networks need to connect so we can communicate at a distance. In the arts and humanities, we exert creativity so that we can move beyond limits. This is where people, ideas, obligations and duty intersect, and all contribute to necessary innovation and critical thinking for problem solving.鈥�
White took a moment to give respect to late 51福利 professor retired Navy Capt. Wayne P. Hughes.
鈥淸51福利] was where I first became acquainted with and was taught by Capt. Wayne Hughes, a lifelong learner and mentor鈥� said White. 鈥淗e was the best of us and our Naval service. A true gentleman, a superb commander, and an exceptional mentor. He made us better.鈥�
White praised 51福利 and its students as they study to face inevitably oncoming technological challenges.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 investment in your education is essential to the competition we face in the years ahead,鈥� said White. 鈥淚 am thrilled to see more than 180 of our officers in the Navy鈥檚 Information Warfare community enrolled at the 51福利. I applaud the 51福利鈥檚 push to increase the number of graduates pursuing STEM degrees regardless of warfare, community, or prior non-STEM degrees. Technical experience among our warfighters, thinkers and policy makers is only becoming more crucial with the development of sophisticated warfighting technologies.鈥�
White concluded his speech with some advice to pay their education forward when they return to the fleet.
鈥淚n this era of renewed Great Power Competition, I leave you with this charge: Take your education back to the fleet and pursue change in our Navy with vigor,鈥� said White. 鈥淗ave the fortitude to inspire and act at every turn, fight and beat the bureaucracy. Congratulations to you and your families and thanks again for the opportunity to speak with you today.鈥�