Update from Annapolis from Al ‘Blues’ Baker

Dear Friends,


We hope you’ve adjusted to the new-normal. Thanks for your interest in what’s going on in Annapolis when there are no midshipmen around. We’ve learned that this pandemic season offers unprecedented risk as well as opportunity. The Brigade remains dispersed. However, the firsties will have an opportunity to briefly return in May, in small groups, to clear out their Bancroft Hall rooms prior to graduation. The graduating Class of 2020 will hold a distinction that they never anticipated.

My focus remains on strengthening the leadership culture among USNA’s key influencers of midshipmen. The Academy’s faculty, coaches, and staff remain fully employed.  Our faculty successfully and quickly shifted to online curriculum delivery. Our coaches have had a good season of recruiting via online chat. One mentioned that videoconferencing homebound candidates brings other family members into valuable college-decision discussions.

I am offering you two links that would possibly be of interest. The first is our Influence the  Influencer Leadership Spotlight. This was sent to all faculty, coaches, and staff last week. The second is USNA’s video of our Spring 2020 Honor, Courage, and Commitment luncheon. Ryan Holiday was our guest speaker. Ryan is one of the world’s foremost thinkers and writers on ancient Stoic philosophy and its place in everyday life. Please fast-forward through the introductory remarks.

Hoping all is well with you and I remain grateful for you as well,

blues

Alan T. “Blues” Baker

Rear Admiral, CHC, USN (Ret.)

Director of Influencer Development

Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership

United States Naval Academy

Annapolis, Maryland