NStar Articles

The Naval Academy is fortunate to have a devoted group of faculty and staff members who enrich its work every day, and many of them have been here for decades. In this article, we’ll explore the inspiring career path of Monte Maxwell, USNA orchestra director, director of chapel music, and chapel organist at the Naval Academy, who is well known and beloved for his mastery of the organ and has been at USNA for almost 30 years. We recently sat down with Maxwell to hear his fascinating story.

It’s almost here: Commissioning Week 2024. This week of highlights culminates with the long-awaited day when the Class of 2024 caps off four incredibly hard and rewarding years at the U.S. Naval Academy with their graduation. They will be commissioned into their first roles as an officer—either as an ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. We are swelling with pride just thinking about their achievements.

You may be familiar with famous bandmaster Charles A. Zimmerman, who composed and performed the U.S. Naval Academy anthem “Anchors Aweigh”—and you probably know one of USNA’s most famous graduates is Jimmy Carter. Still, the Yard is full of history, and these facts just scratch the surface.