Theodore Roosevelt and the Navy

All event times are in Mountain Daylight Time. They are approximate and subject to change. 

All events in the DSU Student Center Ballroom unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
4:00 PM: Introduction

4:30 PM: “To Distant Shores” – International Relations

• Dr. Stacy Cordery, Professor of History at Iowa State University
• Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane, Lowman-Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University and Theodore Roosevelt Center Co-Director
• Moderated by Dr. Ryan Swanson, Professor of History at the University of New Mexico

6:00 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – Keynote Address: “TR and His Vision of the Modern Naval Officer: What might he think of Artificial Intelligence and Officership today?” by Dr. Mark R Hagerott, former Chair of Navy Education Reform Task Force and former Chancellor of the North Dakota University System

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
9:30 AM – Breakfast

10:00 AM – Introduction

10:30 AM – “A Family Affair” – TR’s Family and the Navy

• Aroop Mukharji, PhD, former May Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College
• Rod Sullivan, Retired Lawyer and Naval Reserve Officer
• Moderated by Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane, Lowman-Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University and Theodore Roosevelt Center Co-Director

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – Breakout Sessions

• Theodore Roosevelt Center Updates and Behind the Scenes
• Dickinson State University Campus Tour

2:00 PM – Break and Book Signings

2:30 PM – “At the Helm” – USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Commanding Officers

• Admiral Charles Stevenson “Steve” Abbot, Third Commanding Officer, 1990-1992
• Rear Admiral Richard O’Hanlon, Eighth Commanding Officer, 2001-2003
• Captain Daniel “Roman” Grieco, Thirteenth Commanding Officer, 2013-2015
• Captain Brian T. Schrum, Eighteenth and Current Commanding Officer, 2022-present
• Moderated by Vice Admiral David Architzel, Sixth Commanding Officer, 1996-1998

4:00 PM – “Safe Harbor” – Naval Spouses

• Mackie Christenson, spouse of Rear Admiral Ronald “Rabbit” Christenson, Fifth Commanding Officer, 1994-1996 (1947-2023)
• Eileen O’Hanlon, spouse of Rear Admiral Richard O’Hanlon
• Maureen Hart, spouse of Captain William Hart, 12th Commanding Office
• Moderated by Vice Admiral David Architzel

5:15 PM – Social

6:00 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – Musical Entertainment

• N-Compass Chorus, community barbershop chorus
• Dr. Anthony Rohr, performer, director, instructor
• Joe Wiegand, TR Reprisor

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025

Field trip travel times subject to
change as needed. Guests transporting
themselves are encouraged to keep in
contact with TR Center staff.

9:00 AM – Gallery Opening and Continental Breakfast – Theodore Roosevelt Center, Lowman-Walton Hall

10:30 AM – Bus travels to Medora

11:30 AM – Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Site Viewing
• Viewing of the Library from a vantage point
• In-depth explanation of Library highlights
• Library Q & A

12:00 PM – Lunch – Town Square Showhall

1:00 PM Discussion Panel

1:45 PM – Bus travels to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit

2:00 PM – TRNP Visitor Center
• Ranger-led Maltese Cross Cabin talk, 2:00-2:15
• Ranger-led museum tour, 2:15-2:30
• Shopping and restrooms available

2:45 PM – Bus tour of TRNP begins – lecture and Q&A by Dr. William Hansard, Theodore Roosevelt Center

4:30 PM – Closing Reception – Town Square Showhall

5:30 PM – Bus returns to Dickinson State University

Dr. Mark R. Hagerott is former Chancellor for the North Dakota University System and former Chair of Navy Education Reform Task Force. Prior to his move back home to North Dakota, Dr. Hagerott served on the faculty and held numerous academic leadership roles at the United States Naval Academy. He also served as a planning and strategy director in one of the largest U.S. Army educational organizations, NATO Training Mission. Chancellor Hagerott’s research and writing are focused on the evolution of technology, education, and changes in technical career paths, and he is the author of multiple articles and book chapters, with a recent emphasis on unmanned systems.

 

Dr. Stacy A. Cordery is the author of the New York Times bestseller Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker; the authoritative biography of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low; Theodore Roosevelt: In the Vanguard of the Modern; and Historic Photos of Theodore Roosevelt. Her most recent book is a biography of cosmetics entrepreneur Elizabeth Arden (Viking/Penguin, 2024). Cordery, a professor of History at Iowa State University, has earned multiple teaching awards and serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. In 2021-2022, Cordery held the Johnson Endowed Chair in Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University and directed DSU’s Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program. She has been actively engaged with the Theodore Roosevelt Center for the past fifteen years and has been a member of the Theodore Roosevelt Association for nearly thirty. She has given numerous invited lectures and her many media appearances include the History Channel, CNN, NPR, Smithsonian TV, C-SPAN, and the “60 Minutes: A Second Look” podcast. You can learn more at stacycordery.com.

 

Aroop Mukharji, PhD, former May Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, studies diplomatic history, decision-making, and international relations, specializing in the presidencies of William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt. He currently is an assistant professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College. Previously, he served as Senior Advisor for Economic and National Security to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce and held fellowships at the Council on Foreign Relations, Tufts Fletcher School, Harvard Kennedy School, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He received a B.A. in mathematics and political science from Williams College, an M.Sc. in International Relations from LSE and an M.A. in International Peace and Security from King’s College London as a Marshall Scholar, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Harvard University. He hails from Prairie Village, Kansas. His remarks are made in his personal capacity and do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of the Navy or the U.S. Government.

 

Rod Sullivan, before retiring, taught Constitutional Law, Torts, and Maritime Law at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a lawyer, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Stetson University College of Law, and Georgetown University Law Center. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He has successfully argued a case before the United States Supreme Court, and is a frequent contributor to the news media on law, having appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN, NPR, and in print media in the New York Times, Washington Times, and other publications. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Ellen. He is an active member of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and the Tampa Rough Riders.

 

Vice Admiral David Architzel was the sixth commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (1996-1998). He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Master of Science in Aeronautical Systems from the University of West Florida. At sea, he served as the executive officer of USS Dwight Eisenhower, pre-commissioning unit for USS John C. Stennis, and commissioning officer of USS Guam. Flag assignments have included program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers; commander of Operational Test and Evaluation Force; commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; commander, Naval Safety Center; commander, Iceland Defense Force; and commander, Fleet Air Keflavik. His last assignment was as commander, Naval Air Systems Command. He assumed his duties in May 2010, after serving as the principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He has several Navy decorations and previously served as President and Chair of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

 

Admiral Charles Stevenson “Steve” Abbot was the third commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (1990-1992). He served in that role during the First Gulf War. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Flag assignments include Commander of the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group,  Commander of the Sixth Fleet, and Deputy Commander in Chief of the U.S. European Command. In 2000, ADM Abbot retired from active duty and became a senior fellow at the Center for Naval Analysis. From October 2001 to May 2003, he served as the Deputy Homeland Security Advisor to the President. From July 2003 to September 2019, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.  He presently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

 

Rear Admiral Richard O’Hanlon was the eighth commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (2001-2003) and led the ship through two combat deployments, Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion training program.  During his Navy career, he commanded a fighter squadron and USS Sacramento, a fast combat support ship.  Selected to flag rank in 2003, he led joint deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, was commander of Carrier Group Four, and commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic where he oversaw the maintenance and training of 7 Atlantic fleet aircraft carriers, 8 wings, and over 50 squadrons.  During his Navy career, he deployed 11 times to all areas of the world and logged over 4,000 flight hours and over 900 carrier arrested landings.  After retirement from active service in 2011, he worked in the air transportation, cruise ship, and defense industries.  Additionally, he has volunteered countless hours in support of community activities as well as two Navy scholarship foundations.

 

Captain Daniel “Roman” Grieco was the thirteenth commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (2013-2015). He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Master’s degrees in National Security Affairs and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Business Administration in Aviation from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  At sea, he flew 23 combat support missions in VS-22 during Desert Storm, was the Commanding Officer of VS-24 flying an addition 18 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, served as the Executive Officer of USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, and commanded USS Blue Ridge, the 7th Fleet Command Ship. His shore duties included Flag Aide to Carrier Strike Group 4, Deputy Director for Operations OT-3 National Military Command Center (NMCC) for the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff during 9/11, Executive Assistant to Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic (CNAL), and Director CNO projects at Navy Warfare Development Command. CAPT Grieco retired in 2016 after 30 years to spend more time with his wife Donna, and daughters Maura and Mia. He currently works at CNAL as the Director of Naval Aviation Enterprise Current Readiness.

 

Captain Brian T. Schrum is the eigteenth and current commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (2022-present). A native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Capt. Schrum graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in German. He holds a Master of Science degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and is a graduate of the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He earned his “Wings of Gold” in June 1999 and was selected to fly F/A-18 Hornets. Capt. Schrum’s career includes operational tours with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 at NAS Oceana; VFA-34 at NAS Oceana; as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VFA-113 at NAS Lemoore; and as the Executive Officer of USS Carl Vinson. Throughout his distinguished career, Capt. Schrum has accumulated over 2,700 flight hours and 680 arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and three Strike/Flight Air Medals, among others.

 

Mackie Christenson:

Rabbit* and I met in Annapolis, while I was in my first few months of teaching at Annapolis Middle High School. We married on the day of graduation and started on an unbelievable adventure. The groundwork for a natural inclination to embrace the Navy life was laid by a lifetime of Girl Scouting and being raised in a family of patriotic parents. The puzzle pieces of my Navy life were integrated with a professional life in politics (unusual for a Navy spouse), fundraising, and event planning. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to direct the National Memorial Day Parade taking it from its nascent beginnings until the point that it became a televised and sanctioned parade of Washington, DC. I continue with event planning and fund raising to this day, primarily for veterans’ organizations, but to a much lesser extent. I still work in the family natural gas business in West Virginia but in the last couple of years, I have happily managed to slip from full time to part time. Luckily, our two sons live in the DC area and a lot of my time is spent trying to save the thriving flower garden that Rabbit planted, and I keep his hunting cabin tidy!

*Rear Admiral Ronald “Rabbit” Christenson (1947-2023)

 

Eileen O’Hanlon graduated college and married Rich in 1976. Together they’ve raised five kids, managed two dozen moves and survived eleven deployments in the last 49 years. Eileen has worked as an emergency room nurse in several hospitals across the country. During Rich’s 35-year Navy career she has been Commanding Officer spouse of three commands including the USS Theodore Roosevelt during two wartime deployments after 9/11. She’s volunteered as everything from Girl Scout Cookie mom to scholarship foundation president but mostly in numerous spouse organizations supporting Navy families on naval installations across the country, including designing and speaking at leadership conferences and workshops. Rich and Eileen currently reside in Virginia Beach and consider themselves blessed that now all their kids live in Virginia. When not touring overseas or traveling in their RV, they volunteer on their HOA board and visit their grandchildren.

 

Dr. Anthony Rohr is a versatile performer of operatic, musical theater, and contemporary styles. His recent work includes playing Cinderella’s Prince in Sondheim’s Into the Woods with the Badlands Opera Project, singing with the FM Symphony as the featured guest for the company’s Holiday Pops concert, and performing a self-produced, one-man act titled Tin Pan Teddy written for the Badlands Chautauqua in Medora. Dr. Rohr currently maintains a private voice studio in Fargo, ND. He also teaches at the Rushmore Music Camp, the Badlands Opera Project’s MT Camp, serves as an adjudicator for ND All-State Chorus auditions, and works as the Assistant Director of Outreach and Admissions at NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND.

 

The N-Compass Chorus is a membership organization of female singers, who meet regularly to practice, perform, socialize, and have fun. They have an extraordinary group of women from ages 17-90 from all walks of life, and all parts of Dickinson and Western North Dakota, joined together through their mutual love of music! They are members of the Barbershop Harmony Society, Western Dakota Chapter. They can be heard throughout the year, singing for civic and charitable organizations, business, private groups, churches, community events and fundraisers.

 

Joe Wiegand is the world’s premiere TR Reprisor. Over twenty years, Joe’s Theodore Roosevelt has been seen by audiences in all fifty states and internationally, from the White House to Yosemite National Park. Joe’s Theodore Roosevelt performances are endorsed by the Congressionally Chartered Theodore Roosevelt Association of Oyster Bay, New York, and have been featured annually at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site.

TICKETS for sale on Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/20th-annual-theodore-roosevelt-symposium-theodore-roosevelt-and-the-navy-tickets-1278029232839

Registration with meals and field trip is $160. Registration for lectures and presentations only is free.

Livestreaming is FREE thanks to a generous sponsorship by the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

LODGING options include:

ROOSEVELT GRAND DAKOTA HOTEL, SURESTAY COLLECTION BY BEST WESTERN
7-minute drive from Dickinson State University
532 15th St W, Dickinson
(701) 483-5600

LA QUINTA INN & SUITES BY WYNDHAM
6-minute drive from Dickinson State University
552 12th St W, Dickinson
(701) 456-2500

BADLANDS MOTEL
40-minute drive from Dickinson State University
501 Pacific Ave, Medora
1-800-633-6721

ROUGH RIDERS HOTEL
40-minute drive from Dickinson State University
301 3rd Ave, Medora
1-800-633-6721

 

TRANSPORTATION/TAXI SERVICE options include:

Dickinson Public Transit: (701) 483-6564
Daily 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Dakota Taxi: (701) 334-6590
Superior Taxi: (701) 264-9895
Dickinson Transportation Services: (701) 690-2167