NEWS

NIU's Convocation Ushers in a New Class and a New Name for 2012

Marking new and exciting changes, the National Intelligence University (NIU) held its convocation for the class of 2012 in the Tighe Auditorium Aug. 29, demonstrating commitment to the students and their learning in this worldwide intelligence community program.

Formerly known as the National Defense Intelligence College, NIU students learn alongside dedicated faculty and interact with intelligence professionals at the highest levels to maintain the educational standards in developing critical thinking and analytical skills.

"Establish valuable and enduring relationship," said Dr. David Ellison, NIU president, as he spoke to students. "Expand your networks and use them to make tangible contributions to the intelligence community."

Ellison then introduced LTG Ronald Burgess Jr., DIA director, who addressed the students saying, "The Department of Defense, intelligence community and the nation are most fortunate that you have decided to advance your education in support of the critical intelligence mission we have."

The school provides students from throughout the intelligence community with opportunities to think in front of adversaries and use critical thinking and analysis skills to impact current policies and procedures.

LTG Burgess turned the ceremony over to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper who is not only a former DIA director, but also served as an adjunct professor with the school. He mentored many students and served on a number of thesis committees and had a strong hand in the transformation from the college to the university.

Moving into this transition to the NIU is "a natural maturation from its endeavors," Clapper said. As the foundation for integration and collaboration within the intelligence community, "this organization is making an investment in you," he said. "We're all looking for big things."

In closing the inaugural NIU convocation, Provost Dr. Susan Studds delivered the provost's charge and encouraged students in the class of 2012 to ask questions and challenge ideas. She said, "It's not only encouraged, it's expected. The goal is to teach students how to think, not what to think."

More information on NIU will be available on a new NIPRNet website coming soon at www.ni-u.edu.

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.