FARGO, North Dakota –
Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples, concluded a successful visit to Fargo, May 17, where he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and delivered remarks at both the university's commencement and two U.S. military ROTC commissioning ceremonies.
The admiral's visit to his home state aligned with Armed Forces Day and the Navy's 250th birthday year, a milestone celebrating the U.S. Navy’s enduring commitment to service and community. Munsch's visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect with North Dakota's future leaders and reaffirm the U.S. Navy's connection to North Dakota.
During his commencement address, Munsch drew upon his own upbringing in North Dakota and encouraged the graduating class of 2025 to emulate the resilience of the bison, NDSU's mascot.
“The bison instinct, of course, makes for a great metaphor for new NDSU graduates: Bison face adversity head-on and don't turn tail. But I think there is a deeper lesson to be learned here. In our own lives, we often are encouraged to follow where the winds are blowing to,” said Munsch. “Instead, I say, seek to find where the winds are coming from – not going to. Seek to find from where the winds originate. Seek to find the source. Seek to find the truth.”
At the commencement, NDSU presented Munsch with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, the highest honor the university can bestow to an individual.
“Thank you to the people of North Dakota State University and the State Board of Education for this honorary degree,” said Munsch. “It means more, coming from home, than you might imagine. I will cherish being a bit closer to what you graduates have earned the right to be, a Bison of the Thundering Herd.”
Munsch credits his fulfilling and accomplished career in the U.S. Navy to his North Dakota roots. Despite being a landlocked state, North Dakota and the Navy share more than a century of history.
More than 300 North Dakotans serve in the Navy on active duty and North Dakota is home to Naval Radio Transmitter Facility in LaMoure, N.D. This facility executes tactical-level command and control to direct, operate, maintain and secure Navy communications and network systems from the seabed to space for naval and joint operations.
North Dakota is also home to various units across the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, to include the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, known as the Happy Hooligans. The Fargo-based 119th Wing conducts missions that support U.S. Navy commands, including Munsch’s in Naples, Italy.
During his visit to Fargo, Munsch addressed newly commissioned officers at U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC commissioning ceremonies, offering leadership advice and emphasizing the duties and expectations inherent in becoming a commissioned officer.
“For those of us in unform, it always starts out the same,” said Munsch. “And that’s answering the call and making the commitment: To sacrifice. To dedicate. And to serve.”
Munsch administered the Oath of Office at the Army ROTC ceremony, commissioning 10 cadets into the service as Army officers.
At the Air Force ROTC commissioning, Munsch emphasized the importance of upholding integrity, committing to continuous learning, and pursuing excellence in performance.
Both his remarks to the newly commissioned Army and Air Force 2nd Lieutenants concluded with a poignant reminder of the values they have sworn to uphold.
“For you cadets with the years that are coming ahead, may you be the shield of freedom and the sword of justice,” said Munsch. “May you be sharp of mind and skilled in battle. And may you be feared by our foes, trusted by our friends, and respected by our fellow countrymen. And may you always honor every other man and woman in uniform who has made the same commitment: To sacrifice. To dedicate. And to serve.”
Munsch's words and personal connection to North Dakota resonated deeply with the graduates, new 2nd Lieutenants, and their families, reinforcing the value of service to the nation and highlighting the opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Both groups of newly commissioned Army and Air Force officers expressed their deep gratitude for Munsch’s attendance in their commissioning ceremonies and mentioned that it was especially inspiring to meet a four-star admiral from North Dakota.
In addition to his formal speaking engagements, Munsch also engaged with local community leaders, discussing the Navy's role in protecting American interests and ensuring maritime security. He highlighted the Navy's commitment to supporting STEM education and research in the state, citing the work being done at North Dakota State University.
In his discussions with local leaders, Munsch also shared the tremendous impact that U.S. Navy all-domain task force, Commander, Task Force 66, has had in the maritime domain through its cutting-edge unmanned technology.
Munsch’s engagements with NDSU’s graduating class of 2025, local leaders, and newly commissioned U.S. military officers underscored the Navy's dedication to cultivating a strong warfighting force ready to defend the nation for generations to come.
Concluding his visit, Munsch expressed appreciation for NDSU’s decision to present him with an honorary doctorate and the opportunity to engage with the local community. For Munsch, above all the recognition, he takes the greatest pride in simply being known as a North Dakotan.