Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler addresses the audience during the U.S. Naval Academy’s change of command ceremony held Tuesday at Alumni Hall. From right, Lt. Cmdr. Brian D. Weigelt and Vice Adm. Michael Miller listen to Fowler’s remarks. Miller, a 1974 graduate, relieved Fowler, becoming the 61st academy superintendent. U.S. Navy photo by Gin Kai

Vice Adm. Michael Miller relieved Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, becoming the 61st academy superintendent.

Miller, a native of Minot, N.D., served as the Navy chief of legislative affairs before he was nominated in April as the next superintendent. His other recent tours include deputy chief of staff for global force management and joint operations at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, commander of Carrier Strike Group 7⁄Reagan Strike Group and director of the White House military office.

Miller graduated from the academy in 1974 and is a career naval aviator.

Fowler, of Bismarck, N.D., became the 60th academy superintendent in June 2007. He was commissioned from the academy in 1978 and served as a career submarine officer.

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, vice chief of naval operations, spoke at the ceremony, highlighting Fowler’s success as a submariner, his transformation of Navy Recruiting Command and his efforts to refocus midshipman training to produce combat-ready leaders.

‘‘He reshaped the challenge for the midshipmen graduating from this academy,” said Greenert. ‘‘It’s hard to make a change in a large institution, but [he] has left our treasured institution much better.”

As a result of that change, the Fleet is receiving better prepared and more diverse officers, and the academy has seen the lowest voluntary attrition in recent history, said Greenert.