Ann E. Rondeau

Great Lakes commander to study at NIU

by Mark McGowan

The commander of Great Lakes Naval Training Center, the U.S. Navy's largest training institution, is a student at NIU: Rear Admiral Ann E. Rondeau is pursuing an Ed.D. in adult continuing education.

The admiral, leader of Great Lakes since November of 2001, is responsible for the training and education of more than 60,000 enlisted sailors who annually pass through her command's gates. To further that goal, she has enrolled at NIU to learn the latest educational theories and research practices and to get a deeper understanding of the educational process.

"It's important I understand all of the cutting-edge science of learning. I want to instill a culture of lifelong learning in our young sailors," Rondeau said.

"The Navy's second priority, after the mission itself, is the development of our people. The demands of modern warfare, and the scientific and technological expertise needed to fight it, require sailors with a willingness and capacity to learn. It's the Navy's job to teach them the knowledge, skills and abilities to sail the fighting fleet," she added.

"This is a huge job for our service. We have to stay current with new developments in all fields that affect the Navy's jobs, and translate them into quality, integrated knowledge. My own pursuit of an advanced degree in education is a matter of walking the talk. I'm trying to set an example. The support of NIU to Great Lakes makes it possible."

That support is exemplified by NIU's John A. Niemi, a Distinguished Teaching Professor in adult continuing education. Niemi commutes to Lake County to make sure the civilians and Navy personnel can take advantage of higher-level courses.

NIU offers classes at the College of Lake County, Libertyville High School, Aurora University's extension center in Waukegan and, since 1999, on the Great Lakes base itself.

"NIU is the prime mover in getting our graduate training staff to implement the value of professional development," said Carl Ross, dean of training at Great Lakes.

Admiral Rondeau is quick to express her appreciation for what NIU, in general, and Niemi, in particular, do for her command.

"Dr. Niemi is the leader. He gives sailors, their spouses and families access to education. He has helped us to take advantage of, and celebrate, lifelong learning and the richness of adult education. Understanding the value of those goods evokes a hunger for knowledge," Rondeau said.

"It's like an appetite. It's never satisfied. The more you give people, the more they want. And the more education you give sailors, the more effective they are. They don't feel they're losing their edge," she added. "I also have an insatiable desire to learn. I want to improve my ability to be a leader of learning in the Navy, to be exposed to the expert. I owe this to my Navy."

2-10-2003