For the Degree Doctor of Education, honoris causa
This
honoree is a man of many parts: a sailor, an engineer, a commander, an
administrator, a policymaker, a university president and an alumnus of The
Catholic University of America. He has served his country faithfully in a naval
career spanning more than three decades that has included duty at sea, ashore
and abroad in executive and command positions.
According
to one account, Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney II became interested in the sea as a
child when he would ride the ferry to his grandmother’s boarding house on
Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The ferry would carry him past the
well-known Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, foreshadowing the path that he
would follow in his professional career.
One
of Admiral Gaffney’s first stops along that path was the U.S. Naval Academy,
from which he graduated in 1968. Immediately thereafter, he was selected to
pursue graduate studies. He enrolled in Catholic University’s School of
Engineering, receiving a master’s degree in mechanical engineering (with an
ocean engineering emphasis) in 1969. Subsequently, Admiral Gaffney spent a year
as a student and advanced research fellow at the Naval War College; he
graduated with highest distinction. Later, he received a master’s of business
administration degree at Jacksonville University in Florida.
During
his illustrious career, Admiral Gaffney has served in key naval science and
technology positions. He was Commanding Officer of the Naval Research
Laboratory, the premier Navy laboratory for research and development. He was
also Commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Chief
of Naval Research. In the latter position, he had management responsibility for
the Navy contract research program, including research conducted at
universities. During the time that he was Chief of Naval Research, he took on
additional duties as Deputy Commandant for Science and Technology in the
Headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps. Today, he is the senior uniformed
oceanography specialist in the U.S. Navy.
In
July 2000 Admiral Gaffney became president of the National Defense University
in Washington, the nation’s premier military education institution for civilian
and military leaders. The following year, President George W. Bush named him to
the National Ocean Policy Commission.
Over
the years, Admiral Gaffney has delivered more than 85 significant addresses,
published 15 journal articles and received more than 20 honors or awards, among
them the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal,
Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star (with “V” for valor), the Naval War
College’s J. William Middendorf Prize for Strategic Research and a Catholic
University Alumni Achievement Award.
Along
with Catholic University’s Class of 2003, Admiral Gaffney is on the verge of
closing one chapter of his life and opening another. He will retire from the
Navy this summer and become president of Monmouth University in West Long
Branch, New Jersey. Admiral Gaffney was the unanimous and first choice of
Monmouth University officials for the position. In his new civilian capacity,
he will not be far removed from his lifelong passion, for Monmouth University
is less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean.
To
this respected academic leader, admiral, ocean sciences engineer and
distinguished alumnus, The Catholic University of America is pleased to grant
the degree of Doctor of Education, honoris causa.
Given at Washington, District of Columbia
May seventeenth, two thousand and three