iCollege Honors Hall of Fame Winner and AMP49 Graduates
 By Patricia Coopersmith
  The National Defense University’s Information Resources Management College (NDU iCollege) held a combined Hall of Fame Ceremony and Advanced Management Program (AMP) Graduation on Friday, December 12, 2014.  Chancellor Jan Hamby, RADM (Ret.), USN, welcomed attendees and provided background on the iCollege Hall of Fame process and its importance to the college and university. She then introduced the 2014 inductee into the iCollege Hall of Fame, providing a brief biography on this year’s honoree, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Atanas Zaprianov, Bulgarian Armed Forces.  Lt.Gen.(Ret.) Zaprianov, a graduate of the iCollege’s 23rdAMP in 2001, served in the Bulgarian Armed Forces as Head of the Communications and Information Systems Directorate (J-6) of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces; Commandant of the National Defense College; Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces for Resources Management; and National Military Representative to NATO and EU Military Committees. After his retirement, he served as an Advisor to the Bulgarian Minister of Defense (2010-2013).  
Zaprianov traveled from Bulgaria to receive the award and provided an inspiring acceptance speech, sharing examples of how his iCollege education led directly to his success.  Also attending this event in his honor, Bulgarian Ambassador to the USA, Elena Popodorova, and Bulgarian Defense Attaché, Tsanko Stoykov, delighted in Lt.Gen. (Ret.) Zaprianov’s selection. Zaprianov with award
Lt.Gen.(Ret.) Zaprianov accepts award from Chancellor Hamby Following a luncheon, Chancellor Hamby introduced the next segment of the event by providing information on the college’s long-running AMP.  Hamby introduced the keynote speaker, Mr. David DeVries, DoD Acting Principal Deputy CIO, who spoke about the importance of cyber education and forming relationships with other government leaders. AMP Director Russell Quirici then called forward the eleven graduates of the 49th class of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) to receive their diplomas. AMP graduates also received the college’s CIO certificate, signed by the DoD CIO.  
International students represented the Czech Republic, Philippines, and Pakistan.  Ms. Carolyn Fox-Myers, State Department, was selected as the AMP49 Distinguished Leader, an honor bestowed on the class’ top student.  The President/CEO of the NDU Foundation, Ms. Cathleen Pearl, presented the AMP class plaque to Chancellor Hamby to end the formal portion of the event.  Students, faculty members, the newly-inducted Hall of Fame recipient, and guests were then invited to share cake and conversation. AMP49 Graduates AMP49 Graduates of the NDU iCollege (Dec 12, 2014)AMP50 begins on January 8, 2015, and enrollment for this 14-week residence offering is closed.  AMP51 begins in September 2015, and applications will be due in mid 2015. Please contact AMP Director Russ Quirici at russell.quirici@ndu.edu for information about this program.General questions about the college or about the Hall of Fame program should be addressed to Patricia Coopersmith, Director of Outreach, at coopersmithp@ndu.edu.