Newport, R.I. - The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) held its 17th annual faculty Cloister to celebrate faculty accomplishments and introduce new faculty members, onboard Naval Station Newport, Aug. 5.
The event, welcoming more than 300 faculty members from the college’s in-resident and distance education programs, began with an address by Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, president of NWC.
“Our curriculum and faculty ensure our graduates are not only scholars but also critical thinkers, strategists, and warriors.” Garvin stated. “We provide leaders the education necessary to out-think, out-decide, and out-fight any adversary.”
Following his remarks, NWC faculty were presented with professional awards for superior achievements in teaching and research related to their specific disciplines.
Cmdr. Josh Hammond, from the Policy and Strategy Department, received the Vice Admiral T.R. Weschler Award for Inspirational Teaching. The award recognizes a NWC military professor who uniquely combines superior professional competence, creative imagination, and unbridled enthusiasm.
Claudine L. Ferrell, Ph.D., from the College of Distance Education, received the Distinguished Fleet Service Award for superior service as a Fleet Professor in the College of Distance Education’s Fleet Seminar Program at the Center for Naval Analysis in Arlington, VA.
Terence Roehrig, Ph.D., from the National Security Affairs Department, was provided the Emeritus Award for 18 years of dedicated service to NWC.
Col. Robert Gardner, from the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS), received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Service for providing excellent service to NWC and the greater community.
Cmdr. James Nordhill, from the College of Maritime Operational Warfare (CMOW), received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching for providing a superb academic environment and educational experience for his students.
Margaret M. Polski, Ph.D., Wargaming Department (WGD), received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research. Polski distinguished herself by formulating critical questions, investigating key data resources, and synthesizing and sharing innovative ideas.
Sam Tangredi, Ph.D., representing the Strategic and Operational Research Department (SORD), also received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research. Tangredi distinguished himself by formulating critical questions, investigating key data resources, and synthesizing and sharing ideas.
Col. Craig R. Wonson, from the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS), received the Military Faculty Award for Excellence in Service for providing excellent service throughout NWC and the greater community.
Jahara “Franky” Matisek, Ph.D., in the National Security Affairs Department, received the Military Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, distinguishing himself by formulating critical questions, investigating key data resources, and synthesizing and sharing innovative ideas.
Brad Carter, Ph.D., from the Office of the Provost, was awarded the Department of the Navy (DON) Civilian Service Achievement Medal (CSAM) Award for exceptional service to the NWC community as the associate provost for outreach and engagement.
The Cloister ceremony also recognized 40 additional faculty members who contributed significantly to student learning, 35 who published notable works and those promoted based on excellence in teaching, research, and service.
The ceremony also celebrated 45 new faculty members joining the college for the first time this academic year.
“The influence that our teaching has on students extends far beyond the classroom,” said Stephen J. Mariano, Ph.D., provost at NWC. “The influence of our research on the Navy affects the Nation and the world, and our service ethic is a paragon of professionalism that other professions seek to model.”
The efforts of faculty members are the principal means through which NWC fulfills its missions, functions and tasks. In addition to teaching classes, NWC faculty conduct cutting edge research on current and future warfighting trends; provide advice and assistance to fleet and joint leaders; design and facilitate wargames which help shape defense plans and policies for various commands and agencies; write warfighting manuals recommending best practices and procedures for Navy, joint and interagency practitioners; plan and host academic conferences, symposia and forums to bring together the foremost experts in national security and defense related topics; and much more.
Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. The college delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision makers, educating tomorrow’s leaders, and engaging partners and allies on all matters of naval power in order to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war.