Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau, president of the National Defense University and CHDS Director Dr. Richard Downie

On April 3, CHDS bade farewell to retiring Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau, president of the National Defense University. Admiral Rondeau will be retiring from NDU after 5 years of excellent leadership. After thanking Admiral Rondeau for her support of CHDS from the beginning of her term to the present, CHDS Director Dr. Richard Downie presented her with a certificate, making her an honorary distinguished member of CHDS and ambassador of good will. Since her first visit to CHDS, very early in her tenure, he said, she has treated the Center as “one of her own.” In return, Admiral Rondeau praised Dr. Downie for his work, not only as a retired soldier, but as a global thinker who values education and believes that all people matter. “We can have differences, and still work together for progress.”