By MC2 Michael Ehrlich

University President retired Vice Adm. Ronald A. Route wishes 'fair winds and following seas' to the Fall Quarter's international graduates during the International Graduate Programs Office Student Luncheon in the McNitt Ballroom, Dec. 10. This quarter's global class boasts 48 new NPS alumni from 28 different countries.

Route recalled his own experience interacting with international colleagues as a junior officer on his first deployment. "For me, it was a real privilege to be operating at sea with our naval partners," he said.

Route concluded his address to the graduates with grounded optimism and best wishes, as the officers return to their home countries and militaries.

"I know our future work together will be enriched from your experiences here at NPS," he said. "Our work will be difficult and challenging because of the difficult and challenging world we live in, but we will succeed, as you have succeeded here, by learning more about each other and facing our challenges together."