1972

Lieutenant Commander Georgia Clark becomes first woman officer instructor.

Dr. Rae Jean Goodman becomes first civilian woman faculty member.

June 16, 1972

Vice Admiral William P. Mack becomes superintendent.

June 30, 1972

Compulsory chapel attendance is ended by decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

September, 1973

Major library facility complex is completed and named for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (USNA 1905).

1975

Engineering Studies Complex is completed and named for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover (USNA 1922).

August 1, 1975

Rear Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee becomes superintendent.

August 8, 1975

Congress authorizes women to attend service academies.

July 6, 1976

The class of 1980, including 81 women midshipmen, is inducted.

August 24, 1977

Hydromechanics Laboratory at the Naval Academy is dedicated.

June 7, 1978

President Jimmy Carter (USNA 1947) is the graduation speaker.

August 28, 1978

Rear Admiral William P. Lawrence becomes superintendent.

May, 1979

"June Week" renamed "Commissioning Week" because graduation is now in May.