Speeches

Naval Postgraduate School Inaugural Ceremony

President Daniel Oliver, Provost Leonard  Ferrari, distinguished guests, senior military officers, community leaders, faculty, students, and staff, I am honored to be here on this momentous day, speaking on behalf of the Naval Postgraduate School Board of Advisors and representing the nation’s higher education community.

We gather to celebrate the inauguration of President Oliver and Provost Ferrari, proven leaders who are well prepared to advance the mission of the Naval Postgraduate School. On the eve of this institution’s centennial, this leadership team brings a unique combination of experience to the executive office.

Inaugurations are always a new beginning for an institution, and as such they are filled with promise and optimism. They also tend to be a time when a speaker like me gets to offer a good deal of advice about insurmountable problems, using resources the institution doesn’t yet have, in order to address issues we don’t even know about yet.

I recall some of the advice I was given as a new university president. A highly regarded academic leader pulled me aside and said he would share with me the “two rules for success.”

“Rule 1,” he said, “Don't tell people everything you know.”
And then he walked away.

Another president, who I’m sure had never served in the Navy, said, “Being a university president is like being captain of a ship…where everyone mutinies…but no one jumps ship.”

The Naval Postgraduate School is well-positioned to fulfill the mission of increasing the combat effectiveness of the U.S. and allied armed forces and enhancing the security of the United States. President Oliver and Provost Ferrari are an exceptional leadership team, dedicated to the integration of academic achievement, advanced research, and service to the Navy and the nation. 
 
The educational foundation laid here, the relationships formed here, the scientific discoveries made here, and the ethical underpinnings of military policies rehearsed here have the power to shape defense, cooperation, and peace.  Our nation needs inspiring leaders, visionary thinkers, and great humanitarians, and the Naval Postgraduate School is a notable proving ground for such individuals.  

Your President and Provost, however, need your help.  Robert Kennedy said, “Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator and change has enemies.”

Henry Ford said, “Don’t find fault. Find a remedy.”

And Coach John Wooden said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can.”

Yet, I am reminded of the retired lawyer who once said, “When I was young I lost some cases that I should have won, and when I was old I won some cases I should have lost.  So, on the average, justice was done.”

The presidency of an educational institution is a bit like that.  You get credit that in all fairness belongs to others, and you catch a whale of grief that belongs elsewhere.

While we all believe strongly in a model of vigorous leadership provided by the president, plans for the future cannot be--and should not be--just one person’s vision.  I remember a story about a man who suffered a severe financial setback.  He became destitute, and in utter despair he turned to God. “Please, God,” he prayed, “you’ve got to help me.  Please let me win the lottery.”

And there was no answer.  No response.  The next day was no better.  And he prayed again. “Please God, the only way I’ll get back on my feet is if I win the lottery.”

This went on for a few days. The man thought that God wasn’t hearing him. With his final breath of hope, he turned to God one last time and said, “I beg of you, let me win the lottery.”

After a moment of silence a booming voice from the sky said, “Give me a break.  At least buy a ticket.”

Dan and Len are selling tickets to all of you. 

An accomplished researcher, Provost Ferrari is one of the nation’s most respected academic leaders.  His commitment to research competitiveness, coupled with his appreciation for  the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of science, engineering, education, and the social sciences, has led to new collaborative efforts with research and educational institutions.  His leadership has guided the development of a new Strategic Plan as well as new efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NPS activities.  Dr. Ferrari also knows that all great universities are built on the foundation of a great faculty.

The appointment of Admiral Dan Oliver, a distinguished career naval officer who has become the first civilian president in the history of the Naval Postgraduate School, marks a milestone for this institution.  It also acknowledges the increasing duality of its role in military and civilian life.  A retired vice admiral and a successful senior executive in the private sector, President Oliver brings a wide range of experience to his presidential post.  He has served the United States through eight operational deployments and has been a tireless advocate for Naval personnel of every rank.  His civilian experience as a leader in the Information Technology sector will ensure that the Naval Postgraduate School remains at the forefront of technology leadership.

President Oliver has made the recruitment and retention of world-class faculty and staff his number one priority.  This is a perfect match for an important goal that he and I share, and which I’d like to speak about for a few minutes.

It is simple, yet it is profound.  It is obvious, but often ignored. Quite simply, it is this: Put people first.

That’s it.

I know you’re thinking there must be more--he’s a university president and this is all he’s got?  Well, just to make you feel better, I’ll expand a little on this notion.

It is my deep belief that humanizing society is our best shot for moving forward as a nation and as human beings. 

We are in an era where we’re often more comfortable communicating electronically than face to face.  Generational differences compound the problem. Each day, for example, Penn State students send and receive four million emails.  But guess what?  These emails are generally reserved for folks like you and me, namely, old people, who incidentally include anyone over age 22.  Young people would much rather use text messaging or social networking sites to communicate with one another.

As leaders, we are faced with untold challenges, and dealing with them adequately starts with communication.

It’s important to always remember that every action in our lives touches someone else in some way and we are accountable not only for what we do in life, but also for what we do not do.  Small gestures matter and grand gestures often have small beginnings.

At times, we're afraid to talk to people about certain things, lest somebody feel we've crossed a line.  But I encourage people to reach out to those around us.  If people don't want to talk, they'll tell us.  But I am amazed at how often people say, "Thank you for noticing, thank you for taking the time to ask how I’m doing."  Those interactions are really priceless.  Lives have been changed because someone took the time to engage others.

Unfortunately, we have become a society of screamers.  Look at cable network news.  We put people on opposite sides of a table and we get them to yell at one another.

We expect people--we even want people---to take extreme positions on issues.  Are you pro or con? Left or right?  Gay or straight?  Pro-life or pro-choice?

The truth of the matter is that the world doesn’t normally operate at the extremes.  Few things are black or white. It is in the gray areas where most of the world operates.  It is in the gray areas where compromises are made.  It is in the gray areas where people must come to terms with decisions in the workplace, in their community, and across borders.

Many leaders believe that all decisions are strategic decisions.  But they are not.  Most decisions are also people decisions. 

As leaders, we need to be accessible, reach out to people, and strive to understand diverse viewpoints.

Most days we’re given the opportunity to connect with dozens of people.  Not all of these people will be admirals, chiefs of staff, or leaders of nations.  Some may be your next door neighbor, the bagger at the local grocery store, your mechanic, or a cab driver.  Every encounter has the potential to influence our lives.  A true leader recognizes this and strives to make people feel important and accepted no matter who they may be.

As the poet Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

It is my expectation that the leadership of President Oliver and Provost Ferrari will inspire all of us to care enough about humanity to work toward solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.  We must all strive to make a genuine difference by always putting people first.

On this great day we look toward the future of the Naval Postgraduate School, the importance of your students, faculty, and staff is clear.  I know that your commitment to putting people first will be a great example to all.
Investiture of Executive Vice President and Provost

I now have the privilege, on behalf of the Board of Advisors of the Naval Postgraduate School, and representing the national higher education community, to officially invest Dr. Leonard Ferrari as Executive Vice President and Provost.

Dr. Ferrari, the students, faculty, staff and alumni of this university join the Board of Advisors and the Secretary of the Navy in confirming your appointment as Executive Vice President and Provost of the Naval Postgraduate School.  In this confirmation, the Board of Advisors expresses its profound confidence in you and your abilities as a leader of this unique institution, which serves the Department of Navy, other uniformed services, and our international partners through its superb education and research capabilities.  We charge you to uphold the Naval Postgraduate School’s charter and bylaws, and its tradition of excellence through knowledge.  We charge you to guide this university to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities of tomorrow through your example of integrity, acuity, and intellectual gravitas, and by your commitment to the wisdom that is the product of learning and experience.  We charge you to engage the faculty, students and staff in forging a campus of intellectual vitality that supports and sustains the Department of the Navy in maintaining its world-class status and its mission to protect our nation, to secure peace, and to support prosperity throughout the world.

By virtue of the authority vested in me, I pronounce you, Dr. Leonard Ferrari, the Executive Vice President and Provost of the Naval Postgraduate School.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great honor to present to you the Executive Vice President and Provost of the Naval Postgraduate School, Dr. Leonard Ferrari.