The United States Department of Defense has named the University of Notre Dame’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps as the nation’s top Navy collegiate program for 2023-24.
This comes after the Department of Defense bestowed the same honor on the university’s Army ROTC program in May.
Presented annually, the Educational Institution Partnership Excellence Award recognizes the outstanding ROTC unit and host educational institution from each military department. Criteria include accomplishments in performance, educational institution support and noteworthy achievements.
“We are proud of our midshipmen and Navy ROTC leaders, whose character, discipline and concern for the common good represent the best of Notre Dame,” University President Rev. Robert Dowd said in a press release. “It is wonderful to see them recognized alongside our Army ROTC cadets, and on behalf of the entire campus community, we congratulate them on this prestigious honor.”
In a recent ceremony at the reflecting pool on campus, Midshipman Annika Kell, a senior environmental science major, presented Father Dowd with a certificate of recognition for the award.
They were joined by Captain John Smith, commanding officer of the Naval ROTC unit; Commander Matt Wood, executive officer of the unit; Douglass Tackney, midshipman executive officer of the unit; and Charlie Alberino, midshipman operations officer of the unit, among others.
“The Naval ROTC program plays a critical role in developing our young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, striking a balance between leadership, academics, physical fitness and community involvement,” Smith said. “The success of the program depends on many factors, most notably the selfless dedication of our students and staff and the unwavering support of the university.”
Notre Dame provides active-duty staff with parking, tuition assistance, facilities access and inclusion in faculty social events. It recognizes active-duty staff during home football games. The university also counts naval science classes toward degree completion.
The Naval ROTC unit supports Notre Dame and the community. Midshipmen collectively average 40 hours per week of community service. They mentor Junior ROTC programs in the area. They also support veteran events.
“This recognition reflects the commitment our midshipmen make to selflessly serve our nation, as so many of our Naval ROTC program graduates have done for decades,” Kenneth Heckel, the Sergeant John F. Crowley Director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, said.
