Adm. Hyman G. Rickover Namesakes Celebrate Class of 2019

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class STEVEN HOSKINS | 190608-N-SI684-002 CHICAGO (Jun. 8, 2019) Cmdr. Thomas J. Niebel, Commanding Officer, Pre-Commissioning Unit USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), congratulates Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy cadets for garnering more than 10 million dollars in college scholarships and every graduate’s acceptance into at least one college. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey S. Gray/Released)  

GROTON, CT, UNITED STATES

06.08.2019

Courtesy Story

Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

CHICAGO -- The Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy held its 11th annual commencement ceremony on June 8 and this year's commencement speaker traveled from Groton, Connecticut, where he oversees the training of the crew and construction of the newest Virginia-class attack submarine that bears the name of the legendary Adm. Hyman G. Rickover.

Cmdr. Thomas J. Niebel, Commanding Officer, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), provided this year's commencement address in front of an audience of more than 800 well-wishers.

"It was a special honor to host Cmdr. Niebel as this year's speaker", said Cmdr. Mike Tooker, Commandant of the Academy. "Connecting the two namesakes of Adm. Rickover provided the cadets and audience a unique perspective on why Adm. Rickover was so important to the modern Navy, and why it was important for his hometown to recognize his accomplishments by naming a high school after him."

"Additionally, the fact that Adm. Rickover was himself an immigrant who grew up on the Westside of Chicago, definitely resonated with the population of cadets and their respective families here at the Academy," said Tooker.

Niebel's remarks focused on a brief biographical sketch of Adm. Rickover and went on to focus on Adm. Rickover's personal traits and how those traits have been transmitted to both the Sailors onboard the PCU Rickover and the cadets at Rickover Naval Academy.

"An interesting thing about being a namesake, be it a school or submarine", said Niebel. "A namesake is supposed to embody and demonstrate the characteristics, values, and beliefs of the person for whom they are named."

Niebel continued, "Here at Rickover Naval Academy, and the same holds true with the men who will sail aboard the USS RICKOVER, it is expected that you personify the values and beliefs of Adm. Rickover."

Highlighting the achievements of the Class of 2019, Niebel related their accomplishments to the breakthroughs Adm. Rickover achieved, except the cadets made breakthroughs in their everyday life.

This year's graduating class consisted of 112 graduates. Collectively, the graduating class garnered more than $10 million dollars in scholarships and all graduates were accepted into at least one college or university.

Class Valedictorian Muhammad Navaid, who transferred to Rickover as a sophomore from a high school in Pakistan, received special recognition.

"His family had moved him and his three younger brothers to the U.S. for a chance at a better education and life,” said Tooker. "Cadet Navaid seemed timid and a bit out of his comfort zone, which was completely understandable. We were worried that he might not be able to adapt to our culture quickly enough and it would impact his academics, but boy were we wrong."

"He not only adapted to our coursework and rigor, he far surpassed the classes offered at the Academy," Tooker continued.

"Due to his advanced Math and Science aptitude and self-starter attitude, he sought opportunities to take courses at the local community college, where he completed Calculus II and III, and also took AP Physics 1, 2, and C exams", said Tooker.

Muhammad will be attending Illinois Institute of Technology in the fall and aspires to one day work for NASA as an aerospace engineer.

Another cadet who demonstrated and exemplified the values of Adm. Rickover is Cadet Angel Rubi.

"Since his freshman year, after inquiring about college opportunities for undocumented students, he has been an active member of the Rickover Dreamers Club", said Niebel. "During his junior year, he began advocating for other undocumented students to come out of the shadows and inquire about possibilities of going to college, including going all the way Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. Senators and Congressional Representatives."

For his work and advocacy, Rubi was awarded the inaugural "Red Dog Smith" scholarship, in honor of the late Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ronald C. Smith, and received the 1st place Friends of Rickover Empowerment Scholarship. Continuing his studies this fall, Rubi will be attending Arrupe College of Loyola University, Chicago.

"Our school has been truly fortunate," said Michael J. Biela, superintendent of the Academy. "Since we opened our doors in 2005, we've consistently had Navy leaders, both active-duty and reserve, stream through our entryway ready to engage and connect with our cadets, faculty, and staff."

Biela continued, "Cmdr. Niebel's engagement was special because he is the commanding officer of our Navy namesake and his inspirational remarks perfectly linked the legacy of Adm. Rickover with the newest USS RICKOVER and our naval academy. It's my expectation that both namesake organizations continue to find opportunities to engage with each other and create a mutually beneficial relationship for the benefit of their respective Sailors and cadets."

• Date Taken: 06.08.2019
• Date Posted: 06.13.2019 08:32
• Story ID: 326714
• Location: GROTON, CT, US