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VCNO Gives Opening Remarks at NBSE Convention

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090327-20
Release Date: 3/27/2009 3:07:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) David L. Smart, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, West

LAS VEGAS (NNS) -- Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Patrick M. Walsh spoke at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) during the opening ceremonies of their 35th annual national convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center Wednesday, March 25.

Adm. Patrick M. Walsh is part of a high-level Deparment of the Navy delegation attending the NSBE event in support of the Navy's strategic goal of increasing diversity and attracting the nation's brightest.

"This is an opportunity to address the group at the opening ceremonies of a tremendous conference and convention," said Walsh. "This is a long-standing relationship the Navy has with black engineers, and this is our opportunity to support the initiative."

The Navy has been actively involved with the NSBE for a decade and has been very successful in the past.

"I want to say the Navy's involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers goes back at least 10 years," said Carl Mack, executive director of NSBE. "It honestly picked up a head of steam with incredible momentum. We had no idea about the educational opportunities or the levels of responsibility that were available in the United States Navy.

"We've been blessed to have Admiral Mullen and Admiral Roughead and now they've had the Vice CNO come. It sends a very strong message to the National Society of Black Engineers that the Navy is committed to diversity and committed to giving you the absolute best because they want the absolute best," said Mack. "That message is resonating from the very top."

The convention started Wednesday and continues through Saturday, March 28. It will include a career fair, college fair, science fair, a 'Try-Math-A-Thon,' multiple speeches, and an awards ceremony.

"Thank you for the opportunity to be here," said Walsh. "We're very grateful to the National Society of Black Engineers for the invitation and the opportunity to have a leading role in the convention and the ceremony today."

NSBE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the academic and professional success of black engineering students and professionals. NSBE is comprised of more than 300 collegiate, 75 professional and 75 pre-college chapters nationwide and overseas. The Navy collaborates with groups like NSBE to help develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational opportunities for youth, as well as to encourage personal and professional development of the Navy Total Force.

For more information on the NSBE go to www.nbse.org.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp-diversity/.