Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler addresses the media during the year in review press conference May 12. USNA photo by Gin Kai.

“I continue to be pleased with the brigade's morale, performance and focus,“ said Fowler. “The feedback I get from midshipmen themselves, as well as parents, alumni and the local community, and our Navy and Marine Corps leadership, remains overwhelmingly positive and encouraging.“

Fowler, who arrived as the superintendent in July 2007, brought attention to the senior leadership's focus on three themes: that the U.S. is a nation at war, that the leadership is here to develop midshipmen, and that the Naval Academy is the face of the Navy. He added that all academy events, activities and curriculum are designed to support at least one of these themes.

“We focus on our three themes as a means to carry out our mission, developing midshipmen morally, mentally and physically in order to graduate leaders prepared to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps,“ said Fowler.

Fowler praised the midshipmen volunteers who went out in Annapolis to help stranded citizens during February's record-breaking snowstorm. In recognition of their efforts, the mids were presented with citations by the Maryland House of Delegates, Maryland Senate and Anne Arundel County.

“On a day when classes were canceled, some midshipmen demonstrated the attribute of selflessness,“ said Fowler.

Regarding mental develop-ment, Fowler congratulated the four U.K. Scholars from the Class of 2010 – two Mitchell, one Marshall, and one Gates-Cambridge, bringing the overall total of the past six years to nine Rhodes, 10 Marshall, four Mitchell and five Gates-Cambridge Scholars.

Fowler also spoke about the Bachelor of Science degree with which all midshipmen graduate, pointing out that the academy has garnered a four-year graduation rate of 85%, where the national average is 29%.

“You don't get this success by being passive,“ said Fowler. “It takes investment and hard work to ensure our midshipmen are ready for the pace of this challenging academic program coupled with all of their other requirements.“

On the subject of physical development, Fowler was quick to congratulate men's lacrosse for beating Johns Hopkins university for the first time since 1975. On top of that, he praised Navy football for winning the Commander in Chief's trophy for the record seventh year in a row.

“It's good to be the Supe when you get to visit the White House every year,“ said Fowler.

He added that on top of being great athletes, the midshipmen also are committed to academics as well.

“We are the defining example of what a student-athlete should be,“ said Fowler.

As an institution, Fowler addressed the many opportunities for midshipmen to learn about leadership and morals from guest speakers representing a wide range of disciplines. Such speakers included former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, first man on the moon Neil Armstrong, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Fowler then congratulated the 11 female midshipmen who were selected for submarine service.

“I have met them all personally,“ said Fowler. “They will do very well and make us alumni and submariners proud.“

Fowler praised the accomplishments of various midshipmen and faculty, and remains optimistic for the year to come.

“Overall, we remain committed and dedicated to graduating leaders ready to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps,“ said Fowler.