CNO Makes First Visit to Spelman, Morehouse Colleges
Story Number: NNS091105-11
Release Date: 11/5/2009 4:11:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Tiffini Jones Vanderwyst, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
ATLANTA (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead made the first visit by a CNO to Morehouse and Spelman Colleges in Atlanta Nov. 4.
CNO met with both college presidents and later with students, faculty and local Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and Junior ROTC students during a question and answer session as part of the Morehouse College Presidential Chat and Executive Lecture series to discuss globalization, diversity and the Navy.
"Being a factor in world events, being able to be out and understand the world, and how that world is changing so rapidly during our time - I can think of no other profession, no other calling that allows a young man or woman to be able to immediately have that type of impact (as the Navy)," said Roughead.
The CNO talked about today's Navy and the diversity of the nation and the importance of different perspectives in building a better Navy of tomorrow. CNO also expressed the opportunities for young men and women in the Navy and said that our military, and especially our Navy, need to reflect the face of our nation.
"The United States Navy is a terrific option for a young man or woman graduating from college who has the desire, and the ambition and the interest in serving their country and becoming a leader at a very, very young age," Roughead said.
He also emphasized to the students that leadership comes in a variety of ways and the need to take advantage of those opportunities and learn from those experiences.
"I believe that young people, much younger than college, should be made aware of the opportunities that exist in the Navy," said Roughead. "It's important for us to make young men and women aware of the opportunities of leadership, of service and to make a difference. "
While at Morehouse, Roughead also had the privilege of viewing a selection of Morehouse College's King Collection, which includes typed and handwritten manuscripts and correspondence from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Robert W. Woodruff Library.
CNO said that he is looking forward to working closely with both institutions that are already building impressive leaders with global perspectives - the type of leaders that will make the Navy stronger.
