Throughout its long history, the Naval Institute has supported the development of tomorrow's leaders in the sea services. For outstanding NROTC midshipmen, we offer two awards:
The Naval Institute Forum Award. Two juniors, one Navy and one Marine Corps, are selected based on their short written answers to a thought-provoking question on leadership. Each receives a collection of professional books and a Naval Institute membership, and their commanding officers receive a major book for the schools' wardrooms. For 2001, the question was Who is the military leader who influences you the most and why? and winners are:
Midshipman First Class Antone B. Eliasen Auburn University, Marine Corps-bound
Although not as famous as General "Chesty" Fuller or Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Chief Warrant Officer Third Class Albert Andriotti, U.S. Marine Corps, is the military leader who has influenced me the most. Always technically and tactically proficient, he professed the consistent need for self-improvement. Every person and every situation provided a learning opportunity for him. He taught me the importance of drawing insight from the wealth of knowledge around me.
Midshipman First Class Robert B. Cripps University of Utah. Navy-bound
Before my other military leaders were teaching me how to be a good sailor, my stepfather, Chief Jeffrey Fotheringham, was teaching me to be a good person. He taught me core values before I knew they were core values. He taught me the importance of family and served as an example, a counselor, and a friend. It is he who I am most proud to make proud.
The Naval Institute Outstanding Graduating Midshipman Award. Representing NROTC units across the country, winners of this award are selected by their unit commanding officers on the basis of demonstrated leadership ability, grade point average (particularly in naval science), and campus and community service. Each receives a certificate, a year's membership in the Naval Institute, and a leadership book from the Naval Institute Press. For 2001, the winners are:
Daniel K. O'Hara, Auburn University
Nathan D. Luther, University of California, Berkeley
Traci Graff, Boston University
Jimmy Long, California Maritime Academy
Michael K. Grimmett, The Citadel
Britt Johnson, University of Colorado
Benjamin C. Pollock, Cornell University
Andrew E. Tompkins, Duke University
Kathleen Mahon, The George Washington University
Benjamin Richardson, Georgia Institute of Technology
Jason Deutsch, Hampton University
Mary K. Kennedy, College of the Holy Cross
Nicholas A. Van Hollebeke, University of Idaho
Thomas F. Short, University of Illinois
Zachary M. Hill, Iowa State University
Harold R. Carver, Jacksonville University
Jeffrey Reed, University of Kansas
Matthew J. Cegelske, Maine Maritime Academy
Jeffery P. Prager, University of Maine
John Haigh, Marquette University
Matthew J. Stevens, Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Theresa Bly, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kenneth C. Bruan, University of Memphis
Lindsey Johnson, Miami University
Robert K. Elizondo, University of Michigan
Andrew R. McGuire, University of Minnesota
Armin H. Wahl, University of Mississippi
Anthony Davis, Morehouse College
Donald H. Paulson, Jr., University of Nebraska
Katherine Hayes, University of New Mexico
Wilfredo Cruzbaez, Norfolk State University
Joel Yoder, North Carolina State University
Chenoa Strickland, University of North Carolina
Sarah Sherwood, Northwestern University
Kevin M. Whildin, Norwich University
Brendan McLane, University of Notre Dame
Adrien E. Larsen, The Ohio State University
Peter Cruz, University of Oklahoma
Joseph V. Libasci, Old Dominion University
Chad Keller, Oregon State University
Brian R. Greary, Pennsylvania State University
Anil N. Shah, University of Pennsylvania
Christopher Hathaway, Purdue University
Andrew Peters, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jonathan Lentz, Rice University
Donald L. Shrader, San Diego State University
David Caballero, University of San Diego
Lavetta Jones, Savannah State College
Ryan Ludwick, University of South Carolina
Jinny Harris, University of Southern California
Charlesse Johnson, Southern University and A&M College
David A. Dulberg, SUNY Maritime College
Jason W. Riley, University of Texas
Nicholas Jones, Tulane University
Louis F. Catalina IV, United States Merchant Marine Academy
David Dolan, University of Utah
Matthew T. Driskill, Vanderbilt University
Christopher J. Demi, Villanova University
Kirk B. Hurme, University of Virginia
Sean J. Collins, Virginia Military Institute
Joshua B. Smith, University of Washington
Geoffry Hollopeter, University of Wisconsin
For more on the Naval Institute awards, contact the Membership Department at 410-295-1096. For NROTC, visit the Chief of Naval Education and Training web site at www.cnet.navy.mil/nrotc/nrotc.htm.
Newly commissioned Ensign Traci Ann Graff, Boston University's winner of a Distinguished Graduate Award, is congratulated by Captain Conrad J. Donahue, commanding officer of the Boston NRPTC Consortium.