The Central Coast Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW) officially presented the Naval Postgraduate School with FEW’s 2010 Federal Agency Award, given to university President Dan Oliver by outgoing chapter President Eva Anderson during a ceremony in the Cristo Ray Auditorium in Herrmann Hall, Aug. 23.
The award had been presented earlier to Central Coast Chapter representatives during a ceremony at the FEW National Training Program in New Orleans in July where NPS was announced as the winner, sharing the distinction with the Department of Energy who tied with NPS for first place.
“What a tremendous honor to receive this award for the Naval Postgraduate School,” said Oliver. “We have long maintained an affirmative stance on the advancement of women in government and military positions, and we are pleased to have earned this award by upholding our core values.”
In an acceptance speech at the New Orleans presentation by NPS representatives, Eva Anderson thanked FEW and the FEW Awards Committee for their hard work in making the award selections.
“I am honored to be here tonight to accept the Government Agency award on behalf of President Oliver,” said Anderson during the banquet. “NPS has always supported our Chapter and FEW’s mission. Last year we hosted the Western Regional Training Program at NPS and our success was directly attributed to NPS’ support.”
After the speech, Anderson presented National FEW President Sue Webster and Awards Committee Chair Shelly McCoy with Oliver’s command coin.
For members of the Central Coast Chapter, the award has a significant and positive effect because of the recognition it gives NPS, the chapter and Oliver at the national level.
“As an NPS staff and member of FEW, getting this award is significant because it reflects the value of support that NPS has for the FEW organization and its members,” said Lita Mosqueda, NPS Civilian Institution Program Manager and FEW Central Coast Chapter member. “The award also recognizes President Oliver as a supportive leader and gives our small chapter visibility within NPS and the other Federal agencies.“
NPS was nominated for the award by the Central Coast Chapter because of the significant support it received from NPS on their efforts with the 2009 Western Region Training Program (WRTP) and over the years since its establishment in 1993, as stated by the nomination letter:
“Without the support of President Oliver, the Command Staff Advisory Committee and NPS, the WRTP would not have materialized,” the letter reads. “The Chapter faced a few obstacles in putting on the WRTP but with the combined efforts of NPS and our chapter, the WRTP was a huge success. The Central Coast of California chapter members gained recognition and experience in planning, organizing and implementing a training program; the benefits: priceless.”
The national award is presented to organizations that make significant contributions, services and activities that directly benefit the organization. In their letter, FEW’s Central Coast Chapter validates NPS for its support with the multitude of professionals, both military and civilian, it has provided over the years as guest speakers for the events they organize, the wide dissemination of news regarding FEW events, and the use of NPS facilities for meetings as well as for the events themselves.
“Events like these are welcome on our campus as a reminder of just one aspect of the diversity and equality that is engrained in NPS values,” said Oliver. “There was a time, only a century ago, when women had limited career options within the U.S. military and within higher education. Today, we see a new military, and an academic atmosphere that not only welcomes women, but thrives with their presence.”
An academic atmosphere, mentioned Oliver, that NPS has embraced in its more than 100 years by receiving its first female officers in 1956, having one of its female graduates go on to become the first woman line officer to be promoted to Rear Admiral, and even today with NPS women serving as Vice Presidents, Directors, and Chairs of Academic Departments.
Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) President Dan Oliver, right, presents newly-nominated Federally Employed Women (FEW) Central Coast Chapter President Jaye Panza, left, during a ceremony in the Cristo Ray Auditorium in Hermann Hall at NPS, Aug. 23.
Oliver thanked FEW and the Central Coast Chapter for the selection of the award and extended an offer of continuous support moving into the future.
“I would like to thank Federally Employed Women for selecting us out of all of the other federal institutions considered,” said Oliver. “We would especially like to thank the Central Coast of California Chapter for working with our local community of federal employees and for allowing us to be part of those events. The mission that you promote is one that our leadership at NPS fully support and will continue to promote during our next 100 years.”
For more information about Federally Employed Women, go to www.few.org.