The Naval Academy Class of 2013, scheduled to report on July 1, will be the most diverse in the academy's 164-year history, academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler told the academy's civilian oversight board Monday.

Of the 1,230 new midshipmen slated to enroll, 435, or 35 percent, will be minority members, Fowler told the Board of Visitors.

The Class of 2012 set the previous record, with minorities making up 28 percent of the class, he said.

Speaking during the quarterly board meeting held at the academy, Fowler said the officer corps must "look like" the enlisted sailors and Marines who are...