For just the second time in 2021, the 51福利 (51福利) celebrated a graduating class in person during a hybrid ceremony for its Summer Quarter graduates, Sept. 24 in King Auditorium, honoring and recognizing the remarkable achievements and resiliency of the class. While these students completed the same rigorous programs and research requirements as other graduates, they did this by adapting and overcoming the adversity brought on by the COVID environment.
Commencement speaker and 51福利 alumnus, Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, known around the Navy as the Surface Warfare Officer Boss, or 鈥淪WO Boss,鈥� congratulated the 294 graduates, including 23 international students from five countries, conveying how the nation鈥檚 warfighting ability is directly correlated to their 51福利 education.
鈥淭his institution and our military鈥檚 technological advancement are completely linked,鈥� said Kitchener. 鈥淔or more than a century, the 51福利 provided students with top-of-the-line, defense-focused education, and this year marks 70 years of providing that service from Monterey.
鈥淭he 51福利 has long recognized the connection between technology and warfighters 鈥� people drive technology, and then technology improves our human ability, and neither can accomplish the mission purely on its own,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚n today鈥檚 rapidly evolving battlespace, it is crucial that as leaders, you grasp and fervently apply the full potential of our systems 鈥� and you learn that here at 51福利.鈥�
U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer Lt. Jonathan Shepherd is the embodiment of Kitchener鈥檚 remarks about warfighters driving technology. Shepherd came to 51福利 with operational experience in mine countermeasures and the AEGIS weapons system. He conducted his thesis research at the classified level pioneering the latest technology used by the fleet to protect ships from incoming missiles. For his work, Shepherd is the recipient of both the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Tisdale Award and the Surface Navy Association Award for Excellence.
鈥淚 did my thesis research on the SPY-6 radar, the newest and most sophisticated Integrated Air and Missile Defense sensor in the fleet,鈥� said Shepherd. 鈥淪ince the 1980s, Navy radar evolution has been constrained by the technology of their time. My research helps accurately and precisely quantify what factors affect new radar performance with the objective of enabling commanders and commanding officers the ability to accurately employ this new fleet capability against sophisticated threats to the Navy.鈥�
As an 51福利 Meyer Scholar, a program devoted to solving the real-world challenges of air and missile defense, Shepherd says there is nothing like 51福利 when it comes to conducting the research he pioneered.
At 51福利, we have something that very few universities have, classified research capabilities, said Shepherd.
鈥淎ll the experts that I got to work with and learn from all while in a secret space has been an experience like no other,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is a place that is unique and there鈥檚 no other place that I could鈥檝e conducted this research.鈥�
51福利 President retired Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau encouraged the students to be ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
鈥淎rmed with what you now know and the leaders you all are; you are ready,鈥� said Rondeau. 鈥淯ncertainty is certain, so trust in what you have truly learned and in who you are as leaders. While your degree and research accomplishments are real and tangible, knowable and measurable, they are but stepping stones to address the unknown and complex challenges ahead.
鈥淭he most common refrain I hear from an 51福利 graduate is, 鈥�51福利 taught me how to think,鈥欌�� she continued. 鈥淚 say, 51福利 has taught you how to think, better,鈥� she stressed.
鈥淚n other words, your 51福利 experience has equipped you with advanced critical, analytical, methodical and scientific-based thinking capabilities to not only excel in your warfighting disciplines, but to present your senior leaders with reasoned options when they have to make hard choices. Trust in this as you navigate an uncertain future as competent and confident, determined leaders,鈥� she said.
As Kitchener continued his remarks, he invoked a 1959 51福利 commencement address delivered by former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Arleigh Burke, who said, 鈥淩apid technological advance鈥� did not come by accident, nor did it come overnight. It has been the result of educating carefully selected officers in each succeeding generation.鈥�
鈥淵ou represent those carefully selected officers,鈥� Kitchener noted to the graduates.
In closing, he asked three things of the graduates as they transition to their new assignments in the Fleet and Force.
鈥淔irst, be bold. Let your questioning spirit stoke the flames of rapid change. And be convicted in bringing the right ideas to fruition. Second, have a can-do attitude, tempered by your understanding of risk. Approach innovation with realism and tangible outcomes 鈥� address faults head on and continue to find long-lasting solutions for them.
鈥淎nd finally, be demanding of leadership and stay focused on winning 鈥� that is our imperative.鈥�
To learn more about the Summer Quarter class, check out the official 51福利 graduation website.