Commencement

June 11, 2009

The National Defense University graduation was held Thursday, June 11th, at Fort Lesley J. McNair in southwest Washington, D.C., when 582 students from the College of International Security Affairs, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the National War College received graduate degrees. The ceremony was held in front of historic Roosevelt Hall.

The graduation speaker was Admiral Michael G. Mullen, U.S. Navy, the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Mullen serves as the principal military advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States. For the Chairman's remarks to the students, click here. For the Chairman's bio, click here.

Former U.S. Senator John W. Warner received the degree Doctor of National Security Affairs, Honoris Causa. A three-time chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, former Senator Warner recently returned to private life after his decision to not seek re-election to a sixth term as U.S. Senator for the Commonwealth of Virginia. For his bio, click here.

NDU is an accredited graduate-level institution that prepares future leaders of the United States Armed Forces and other civilian agencies for high-level policy, command, and staff responsibilities. Approximately 54 percent of the graduates are senior officers from the United Armed Services. The other 46 percent are Federal Government civilians, International Fellows from more than 60 countries, and private sector civilians. Students in the College of International Security Affairs receive a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Security Studies (with a concentration in combating terrorism). Industrial College of the Armed Forces students completing degree requirements receive a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. National War College students receive a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy.

The National Defense University is the premier center for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and is under the direction of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. The President of the University is Lieutenant General F.C. Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps. The Director of the College of International Security Affairs is Dr. R. Joseph DeSutter; the Commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces is Rear Admiral Garry E. Hall, U.S. Navy; and the Commandant of the National War College is Major General Robert P. Steel, U. S. Air Force. The University’s main campus is on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., while the Joint Forces Staff College is located in Norfolk, VA. The National Defense University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

For more information on the National Defense University, visit www.ndu.edu. For the Alumni web page, go to www.ndu.edu/alumni.

The 39 College of International Security Affairs graduates received a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Security Studies (with a concentration in combating terrorism).

The 320 Industrial College of the Armed Forces graduates received a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy.

The 223 National War College graduates received a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy.