The Naval War College, College of Distance Education program at the Naval Postgraduate School turned a page in its 22-year history with the retirement of two of its founding members, along with its longtime academic coordinator, January 31.
With more than 60 years of experience between the three members of the long-running program, Associate Dean Fred Drake, Professor Mitch Brown, and Academic Coordinator Rose Drake were celebrated for their contributions to federal service during the small virtual ceremony.
Each one has more than 20 years of experience in working for the NWC’s Joint Professional Military Education program at NPS. Their contributions to the Navy and DOD were recognized by the Dean of the College of Distance Education for the Naval War College (NWC), Professor Walt Wildemann via a remote connection during the virtual ceremony in NPS’ Glasgow Hall.
During the ceremony Wildemann conferred to Fred Drake the title of Associate Dean Emeritus for his distinguished service, and is one of only a handful of dean emeritus titles to be awarded by NWC. NPS Provost Scott Gartner also attended the virtual farewell and recognition ceremony.
In one of NWC Monterey Chair Fred Drake’ final acts, he and the Monterey College of Distance Education team recognized the latest class of honor graduates during a ceremony a few days prior.
Graduates earning “with Highest Distinction” honors by completing the NWC Command & Staff program in the top five percent of their class are Navy Cmdr. Matthew L. Sevier; Navy Lts. Jeremy Bullard and Patrick R. Eberhart; Marine Corps Maj. Jordan M. Reid; Army Majs. Gregory S. Griffith, Sean C. Redding and Porter W. Riley.
Graduates earning “with Distinction” honors by completing the NWC Command & Staff program in the top 15 percent of their class are Navy Lt. Cmdrs. Stephanie A. Geant, Cameron D. Jennison and Lucas A. Willoughby; Navy Lts. LaShaundra S. Collins and Emily E. Cooper; Marine Corps Majs. Adam T. Deitrich, Nicholas S. King and Joshua B. Welch; Army Majs. Ena G. Baran, Andrew J. Brown, Sr., Brian J. Clayton, Joshua L. Cook, Jacen P. Lanclos, Yeong M. Lee, Christian T. Ray, Rachel K. Strader, Marguerite E. Vermillion and Paul L. Wolfe III; and, Army Capts. Peter V. Hamill, Jr., Casey A. Kapetanov and Quentin Sica.
Through the NPS-NWC partnership, a total of 6,275 officers have earned their Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification since the program’s inception in September 1999.