Bismarck State College
09/17/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2026 14:11
Retired Four-Star U.S. Navy Admiral to speak at Bismarck State College Sept. 23
Retired Four-Star U.S. Navy Admiral to speak at Bismarck State College Sept. 23
Published: Sep 17 2026
Retired Four-Star U.S. Navy Adm. Stuart Munsch, a North Dakota native and former commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Naples, will share leadership lessons from his distinguished military career during a special event at Bismarck State College on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Munsch will present "Leading When It Counts: Lessons from a Life of Naval Command" from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Live Event Venue of BSC's Advanced Technology Center, 1220 Schafer St., on the BSC campus. A reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will follow from 7 to 8 p.m.
The event is part of the Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series presented by North Dakota State University's Challey Institute and is co-sponsored by Bismarck State College. The series brings world thought leaders to North Dakota to explore significant questions related to improving the human condition and creating economic opportunity.
The event is free and open to the public. A livestream also will be available for those unable to attend in person.
A North Dakota native, Munsch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. While at the academy, he served as brigade commander of his class and was an All-American and national champion pistol shooter. Selected as a Rhodes Scholar, Munsch later attended Oxford University, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy, politics and economics.
During his naval career, Munsch rose to the rank of four-star admiral and most recently served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. His leadership experience spanned decades of military service and senior command responsibilities involving U.S. and allied forces.
Munsch is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. Supreme Court Statecraft Fellow and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow. He also received the U.S. Navy League's Decatur Award for operational excellence. His military honors include two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit and several unit awards shared with his shipmates.
During his Bismarck presentation, Munsch will draw on his experiences in naval command to share lessons on leadership, decision-making and leading through consequential moments.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: "Leading When It Counts: Lessons from a Life of Naval Command," featuring retired U.S. Navy Adm. Stuart Munsch
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 5:30-7 p.m.; reception from 7-8 p.m.
Where: BSC Advanced Technology Center, Live Event Venue, 1220 Schafer St., Bismarck
Cost: Free and open to the public
Online: Livestream available
Registration, livestream access and additional information are available through the Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series website.
Munsch will present "Leading When It Counts: Lessons from a Life of Naval Command" from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Live Event Venue of BSC's Advanced Technology Center, 1220 Schafer St., on the BSC campus. A reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will follow from 7 to 8 p.m.
The event is part of the Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series presented by North Dakota State University's Challey Institute and is co-sponsored by Bismarck State College. The series brings world thought leaders to North Dakota to explore significant questions related to improving the human condition and creating economic opportunity.
The event is free and open to the public. A livestream also will be available for those unable to attend in person.
A North Dakota native, Munsch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. While at the academy, he served as brigade commander of his class and was an All-American and national champion pistol shooter. Selected as a Rhodes Scholar, Munsch later attended Oxford University, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy, politics and economics.
During his naval career, Munsch rose to the rank of four-star admiral and most recently served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. His leadership experience spanned decades of military service and senior command responsibilities involving U.S. and allied forces.
Munsch is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. Supreme Court Statecraft Fellow and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow. He also received the U.S. Navy League's Decatur Award for operational excellence. His military honors include two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit and several unit awards shared with his shipmates.
During his Bismarck presentation, Munsch will draw on his experiences in naval command to share lessons on leadership, decision-making and leading through consequential moments.
EVENT DETAILS:
What: "Leading When It Counts: Lessons from a Life of Naval Command," featuring retired U.S. Navy Adm. Stuart Munsch
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 5:30-7 p.m.; reception from 7-8 p.m.
Where: BSC Advanced Technology Center, Live Event Venue, 1220 Schafer St., Bismarck
Cost: Free and open to the public
Online: Livestream available
Registration, livestream access and additional information are available through the Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series website.
Bismarck State College published this content on September 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 17, 2026 at 20:11 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]