to Monmouth from National Defense University
Vice admiral comes
to Monmouth from National Defense University
By Sherry conohan
Staff Writer
Paul G. Gaffney II
WEST LONG BRANCH — Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, a career naval officer and president since 2000 of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., has been tapped by Monmouth University to become the school’s seventh president.
Gaffney, 56, a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, will succeed Rebecca Stafford when she retires as president on June 30.
Stafford, who has served as Monmouth University’s president for the past decade, led the school through a period of great physical growth on campus and in academic reputation.
Gaffney, in an interview after his selection was announced last week, said he knew Stafford had put the university on track.
"Dr. Stafford has done a great job," he said. "I want to continue that."
Gaffney said it would be foolish for him to outline any plans he may have to build upon the base Stafford is leaving until he gets to know the university.
But there is one thing he knows he wants to do, he said.
"A university is a huge collection of talented people" on staff in the faculty and administration, he said. "They have so much to contribute, not only to their students, but also outside the walls of the university. I would hope the university would not be insular, but would be connected not only to the local [towns] around the university but in the region and the state and beyond.
"I see no reason why that can’t be done," he said.
Paul S. Doherty Jr., ’67, chairman of Monmouth University’s board of trustees, said Gaffney was its first and unanimous choice to be the new president.
"He is a highly respected leader with solid management expertise," he said. "We are confident that Vice Admiral Gaffney will continue the remarkable progress that Monmouth University has experienced in the past few years as a strong, vibrant institution."
Doherty said the selection of Gaffney was made at a special trustees meeting Feb. 10 but could not be announced until his retirement from the military was approved. Gaffney is expected to arrive on campus in July.
Alfred J. Schiavetti Jr., head of the Search Committee, said Gaffney retires effective Sept. 1; however, he gets "terminal leave" — he thought for 60 days prior to the retirement date — so he can be at Monmouth by July 1.
Asked what attracted the Search Committee to Gaffney, Schiavetti said, "First and foremost he is deeply committed to higher education. That is what he wanted to do subsequent to his retirement. He is very intelligent … and he has had great academic experience as president of National Defense University."
Schiavetti said that after an extensive outreach, the Search Committee received about 90 applications and nominations, which he called a very large number.
"It was a broad and deep pool," he said. "It was a pool of individuals who were very experienced in education. My recollection is that they were from 30 different states from all over the country and from Canada."
The final four candidates considered by the Search Committee included another official of National Defense University — Elizabeth A. McDaniel, dean of faculty and academic programs at Information Resources Management College, which is part of National Defense University.
Gaffney explained that National Defense University only offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees and short-course certificate programs. He said it has four colleges offering master’s degrees and also has education centers serving Central and South America, Africa, and the Near East and South Asia. The college is funded by the U.S. Defense Department, he said.
According to Gaffney, the colleges vary in their mix of military and civilian students, with one being 95 percent military and another split 50-50.
About 5,000 people go through the university in some way each year, he said.
Gaffney said the university offers courses in social and informational sciences in such areas as economics, history, political science, diplomacy, strategic thought, and management and information strategies — "all the things that are required for a modern nation to make good security policy."
Gaffney has a background in oceanography. He received a master’s degree in ocean engineering from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He completed a year as a student and advanced research fellow at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., graduating with highest distinction. He also earned a master’s of business administration at Jacksonville University.
Prior to assuming his duties at National Defense University, Gaffney was the chief of naval research with additional duties as deputy commandant (Science and Technology), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps from 1996-2000, and chief executive for the Navy’s Oceanography Program from 1994-1997. From 1991-1994, he was chief executive of the Naval Research Laboratory.
Gaffney was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Ocean Policy Commission in July 2001. His 35-year career with the Navy includes duty at sea, overseas and ashore in executive and command positions.
Gaffney said he is not concerned about making the transition to a university with a primarily civilian population and noted he has attended college at such schools. At Monmouth, he said, he may present three of four lectures a year, as he has been doing at the National Defense University, but won’t teach a class.
"I recently gave a lecture on my views on biotechnology," he said. "I have [given] lectures on ocean policy and politics in Washington."
Gaffney said he has been interested in the education field for more than a decade.
"I am really excited about the opportunity" at Monmouth University, he said. "I can’t wait to get to New Jersey this summer."
Stafford, the president he will replace, said Gaffney’s appointment was great news for Monmouth University.
"I welcome him to New Jersey and look forward to working with him on a smooth transition in the coming months," she said. "He is a perfect match for the university, and I wish him every success at Monmouth."