LT Courtney Senini ’02, USN, knew something was amiss when aides started dashing in and out of the classroom, passing messages to the admirals and generals who taught her leadership seminar. Finally, one of the aides stood before the room of seniors and said the words that would change their lives: “Ladies and gentlemen, the United States is under attack.”

Backs to the Severn River, the young women were perfectly erect, their eyes fixed on the flag lowered to half-mast. Facing them, rows of bleachers were filled with empty spaces. The stands normally looked so different. Then, until six days ago, everything was different. This was Monday, 17 September 2001. They were about to play a soccer game.

The Naval Academy was ranked 14th overall for “Best Liberal Arts Colleges” in U.S. News & World Report, 1st in public schools and amongst high school guidance counselors and 5th for overall “Best Undergraduate Engineering” programs; and in engineering specialties the academy ranked 6th in “Mechanical Engineering” and 7th in “Electrical/Electronic/Communications.”

He has a 3.91 GPA in mechanical engineering, had first-team Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Information Director’s of America last year and is a tutor in his spare time. It is no surprise that offensive guard Midshipman John Dowd ’12, USN, has been nominated.

Do you know how many astronauts have graduated from USNA? Rhodes Scholars? Governors and ambassadors? No need to wonder if you click here and get all the info on some of our accomplished graduates who probably had a higher GPA than you.

Defying the stereotype of student athletes yet again, 17 members of the Navy football team were named to the Superintendent, Academic Dean or Commandant's List for the spring semester. Well done!

At the end of August, a T-45C Goshawk training aircraft completed a successful biofuel flight at NAS Patuxent River, MD, on a biofuel mixture of petroleum-based JP-5 jet fuel and plant-based camelina. The Blue Angels followed suit this September at an air show.

Plan on being in Annapolis for Homecoming this year? Friends of Navy Baseball hope to re-establish the Navy Baseball Alumni Game on the morning of 22 October. Alumni players can once again put on the Navy uniform swing the bat, and socialize with past and current players.

“Leadership Embodied” needs new authors and fresh Navy stories. Mids receive a copy during plebe summer to inspire and educate, with vignettes by Captain Slade Cutter ’35, Major General John Lejeune 1888, Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. ’43 and others. Find out more here if you would like to contribute.

On 27 September 2008, Navy defensive end Jabaree Tuani replaced his injured teammate, Michael Walsh, and thus became the first Midshipmen to start as a freshman on the team’s defensive line in 10 years. Coach Ken Niumatalolo calls him the best defensive lineman ever to play at the Academy. Read our Q and A with Jabaree here.

George Abbey worked at NASA for decades, hand picking astronauts who “saved the space program four times,” said his former boss, flight director Christopher Kraft. With such influence, it is interesting that few knew who he was.

On 6 November, the 3rd annual Ripley Race will begin at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in honor of Col. John Ripley ’62, USMC (Ret.), benefiting the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Sign up here.

Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan, Jr. ’67, USN (Ret.), and MOAA president, recently said, “The entire military community is very concerned about the retirement proposals. MOAA put out this report to let people know what’s involved, how military people might be affected, and what MOAA is trying to do.”

They may not get the glory or go to away games, but they certainly get the respect of their coach. “‘Whatever I can do to help the brotherhood and the football program, I'd love to do.’ That really says a lot about those young men and shows how much they care about this team,” Coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

Labor Day weekend marked the beginning of our fall sports traditions at Navy. The Brigade has been reformed, reunion classes are returning to Annapolis and Brigade fall semester and sports are underway around the Yard. Labor Day weekend marked the beginning of our fall sports traditions at Navy. The Brigade has been reformed, reunion classes are returning to Annapolis and … (read more)