FOJC Welcomes the Naval Academy’s 92nd Commandant

Honored to represent the United States Naval Academy’s Friends of the Jewish Chapel (FOJC) while welcoming the 92nd Commandant, CAPT Clint Cornell (USNA ’01), USN, today. Happy to present him a Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel coin, plus a N* yarmulke!

– We discussed the history, mission, and strategic partnership between USNA and the non-profit 501(c)(3) FOJC.

– The Commandant, as did the Superintendent earlier this year, reinforced a genuine commitment to zero tolerance for any discrimination toward Jewish members of the USNA community at USNA. “Simply not acceptable.”

– USNA has a long and positive history of Jewish Midshipmen and graduates contributing to the Navy, the Nation, and the Academy itself. Jewish graduates have attended Annapolis since the 1860s. USNA maintained an open admissions policy even during eras when some “elite” civilian colleges imposed quotas.

Some examples of notable Jewish Midshipmen graduates and FOJC Board Members:

– Albert Michelson (Class of ’73 … that’s 1873!): First American to win the Nobel Prize in Physics (1907) and the first Jewish American Nobel laureate in any field. Michelson Hall at USNA is named in his honor, and markers on the grounds commemorate his work.

– Hyman Rickover (Class of ’22 … that’s 1922!): Russian-born Jewish immigrant who rose to become a four-star Admiral and is widely known as the “Father of the nuclear Navy.” He developed the USN nuclear propulsion program (including the USS NAUTILUS, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine) and influenced civilian nuclear power. Rickover Hall at USNA honors his legacy.

– Jerry Miller (Class of ’77): Distinguished Graduate Awardee. Chairman of the Naval Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors. Driving force behind FOJC; his philanthropy and sweat equity helped raise approximately $13 million for the Levy Center and Jewish Chapel several decades ago.

– Hon. Dov Zakheim (Founding Member of the FOJC Board of Directors in 1995).

Former Under Secretary of Defense, Director of the Board of Control of Navy Athletics (NAAA – Naval Academy Athletic Association), contributing to the oversight and support of Midshipmen athletics and physical development programs.
 

P.S. As a former Midshipman (Class of ’83 … that’s 1983!), I still get slightly nervous when “asked to see the Commandant” … he does have an awe-inspiring entranceway to his office and view from the rotunda!