WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ —  Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, a respected academic leader and the president of the National Defense University, has been named the seventh president of Monmouth University effective July 1, 2003. He and his wife, Linda, expect to arrive at Monmouth in July 2003. He will succeed Dr. Rebecca Stafford who will retire in June after ten years of strong leadership.

“Vice Admiral Gaffney will be an outstanding president of Monmouth University. He is a highly respected leader with solid management expertise,” said Paul S. Doherty Jr. '67, chairman of the board of trustees. “He was our first and unanimous choice to be the new president of Monmouth. We made the decision at a special Board of Trustees meeting on February 10 but could not make an announcement until his retirement from the military was approved. We are confident that Vice Admiral Gaffney will continue the remarkable progress that Monmouth University has experienced in the past few years as a strong, vibrant institution.”

Vice Admiral Gaffney is the tenth President of the National Defense University (NDU). Prior to assuming his duties at NDU, he was the Chief of Naval Research with additional duties as Deputy Commandant (Science and Technology), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Ocean Policy Commission in July 2001. His distinguished career has spanned nearly 35 years and includes duty at sea, overseas and ashore in executive and command positions. He will retire from the Navy and step down from the National Defense University in the summer.

“Vice Admiral Gaffney impressed our search committee and the Monmouth community,” said Alfred J. Schiavetti Jr., a trustee and chairman of the search committee. “He is a strategic and critical thinker and is dedicated to taking Monmouth to the next level of success.”

Vice Admiral Gaffney is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation, he was selected for immediate graduate education and received a masters degree in Ocean Engineering from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He completed a year as a student and advanced research fellow at the Naval War College graduating with highest distinction. He completed an MBA at Jacksonville University. Both Jacksonville University and the University of South Carolina have awarded him honorary doctorates.

Dr. Rebecca Stafford commented: “The appointment of Vice Admiral Gaffney is great news for Monmouth. I welcome him to New Jersey and look forward to working with him on a smooth transition in the coming months. He is a perfect match for the University and I wish him every success at Monmouth.”

The search for a new president was launched in May 2002 following Dr. Stafford’s announcement in February 2002 of her plans to retire in June 2003. The 16-member search committee is comprised of eight trustees (one who is an alumnus), an alumni representative, two faculty members, one academic department chair, two students (an undergraduate and graduate), and two administrators.

Supported by a committed Board of Trustees, a dedicated faculty, a capable administration and a sound financial foundation, the University stands poised to extend and deepen its accomplishments. The president elect, Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney, will partner with the Board of Trustees and University community to create and implement a long-term strategic plan that sets high goals for enhanced university standing.