New academy dean stresses leadership

A telling point about the Naval Academy's new academic dean surfaced during a throw-away comment he made on Wednesday, as he was sitting down for an interview with The Capital.

While at his previous posts, Academic Dean and Provost Dean Andrew T. Phillips would record himself delivering presentations before various groups. Then, at the end of the week, he'd go back and listen to the 20 or so presentations, to see what worked and what needed improvement.

Phillips obviously is an analytical person, even when it comes to himself, and he is clearly dedicated to his work. The dean and the athletic director, for...