THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 10, 1997 TAG: 9701100543
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: ANNAPOLIS, MD. LENGTH: 44 lines
A panel that includes the former commander of U.S. forces in Europe and the Navy's first black four-star admiral will spend six months analyzing the scandal-plagued Naval Academy.
The academy, reeling from a year of scandals ranging from murder to car theft, will have every facet of its operations examined, ranging from character development and staffing to academics and admissions, the academy said. The board includes the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, former University of Notre Dame president; retired Army Gen. John R. Galvin, former commander in chief of U.S. forces in Europe; and Adm. J. Paul Reason, commander in chief of the Atlantic Fleet, who was named the Navy's first black four-star admiral last May. The board will meet Jan. 23, and could issue recommendations by summer.
Many notable figures declined to serve on the panel, including former President Jimmy Carter and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin L. Powell, the Baltimore Sun reported Thursday. Powell, however, is expected to serve as an adviser, the newspaper reported.
Over the past few years, the 151-year-old academy has been stung by charges of murder, drug use, pedophilia and car theft.
A former student at the academy was indicted in November for a love-triangle killing in Texas after she allegedly told classmates about the slaying. In October, a former midshipman was ordered to spend 90 days in jail for sexually abusing the 2-year-old granddaughter of a couple he visited as part of an academy hospitality program.
In August, the academy expelled 15 midshipmen in its worst drug scandal in more than 20 years. Fourteen midshipmen were found to have used LSD and marijuana, and one was charged with failing to report drug use by another midshipman. Seven midshipmen also pleaded guilty last year to taking part in an interstate auto theft ring. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Panel member
Adm. J. Paul Reason is the Navy's first black four-star admiral.
KEYWORDS: U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY SCANDAL