Future submariner graduates first at Annapolis

Photo By Jonathan L Correa | 150522-N-SQ432-0061 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 22, 2015) Midshipman First Class Michael Johnson shakes hands with Vice President Joe Biden after receiving his diploma at the graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Naval Academy Class of 2015. Johnson graduated first in his class. This year’s class graduated 1,070 men and women, including 790 Navy ensigns and 264 Marine Corps second lieutenants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Correa/Released)  

ANNAPOLIS, MD, UNITED STATES

06.25.2015

Courtesy Story

United States Naval Academy

By Lt. Teng K. Ooi, PhD
USNA/NAVAIR Reserve Program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department is proud to congratulate one of our distinguished graduates. Midshipman 1st Class Michael K. Johnson received the Admiral Frank B. Kelso II, Class of 1956 Award for graduating with the highest overall Order of Merit in the USNA Class of 2015.
This award recognizes and honors Johnson’s superior scholastic achievements, his demonstrated athletic and extracurricular accomplishments, and his commitment to military service.

As a Naval Academy Trident Scholar, Johnson completed a project titled “Probe-Independent EEG Assessment of Mental Workload in Pilots” with advisor Dr. Justin Blanco, Naval Academy Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. He will attend Stanford University as part of the Navy’s Immediate Scholarships for Graduate Education Program where he will pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science. Johnson received a Research Assistantship with the Preventive Defense Project which will cover half the cost of his tuition. After completing his degree he will enter the Navy’s nuclear submarine community.

“I feel humbled to receive this award among so many other incredible graduates,” said Johnson. “I could not have achieved this position without the help of my mentors at the Naval Academy, my friends, and most especially my Mom and Dad. I am excited to see what the Class of 2015 can accomplish in the future, and I look forward to joining the submarine community soon.”

Additionally, Johnson was awarded the Gardner L. Caskey Memorial Prize, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Prize, the Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Patrick K. Inglis, USN, Memorial Award, the Peruvian Naval Medal of Honor to Merit and the Capt. Boyd R. Alexander Prize.

• Date Taken: 06.25.2015
• Date Posted: 06.25.2015 14:34
• Story ID: 168156
• Location: ANNAPOLIS, MD, US