Public radio host, Navy veteran addresses ROTC grads
Kai Ryssdal, host of American Public Media"s popular business show, “Marketplace,” gives advice to the class of 2015 at the Navy ROTC commissioning ceremony for 2015 graduates on Friday (May 15) in the historic Naval ROTC building on the Tulane University uptown campus. (Photo by Ryan Rivet)
Let"s do the numbers. Six graduates in the Tulane Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps class of 2015 were commissioned on Friday (May 15). Four men, two women became officers. Five midshipmen graduated from Tulane University on Saturday (May 16), while one is a Loyola University grad. Four are now ensigns in the U.S. Navy, while two are second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Kai Ryssdal, host and senior editor of American Public Media"s popular business show, “Marketplace,” was the guest speaker at the commissioning ceremony that was held in the historic Navy ROTC building on the Tulane University uptown campus.
“What happens now, or tomorrow ⦠the next few years are going to be the adventure of your lives so far. Don"t waste it,” Ryssdal advised the graduates. Ryssdal earned his commission through the Navy Officer Candidate School and spent eight years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator, flying from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, and he served as a Pentagon staff officer.
“Take the risks. Fail, fail often. Fail quickly. But learn from it â¦,” Ryssdal continued. “⦠The sacrifices you are going to have to make as you serve this country will in turn pay you back.”
More numbers: Ryssdal heads up 45 to 50 editorial staff members for “Marketplace.” He flew 1,600 miles from California to attend the commissioning ceremony. It is his third trip to New Orleans. He has four children. One is considering Tulane University for college. His eldest, a junior in high school, came along on this trip to tour the Tulane campus.
When his son mentioned to Ryssdal that he was thinking of the Naval officer training corps, Ryssdal said it was one of his proudest moments.
“I am confident that we are sending forth the finest to conduct the nation"s business,” said Capt. Patrick N. Huete, commanding officer of the Naval ROTC unit at Tulane.
“The sacrifices you make for your country will pay you back.”—Kai Ryssdal, host of American Public Media's “Marketplace”
