Save the Date
Distinguished Lecture Series
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy Distinguished Lecture Series is a twice annual event designed to inspire, educate, and engage the Maritime community and the public. This premier series invites figures from maritime, politics, academia, and humanitarian activism to address pressing issues of our time. Each lecture promotes thoughtful dialogue, intellectual enrichment, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of our interconnected world while providing real-world advice based on personal journeys.


The Distinguished Lecture Series has four objectives:
1. Showcase the expertise and insights of prominent leaders across diverse fields
2. Foster discussions on key global and regional issues, particularly those relevant to the maritime and related industries
3. Strengthen the Academy’s commitment to academic and inclusive excellence and community engagement
4. Inspire the next generation of leaders by providing a platform for transformative ideas and discourse
Previous Lecturers have included:
Angela Chao, Deputy Chairman, Foremost Group
Bob Coughlin, Managing Director - Life Science and Healthcare, JLL
Tom Crowley, President/CEO, Crowley Maritime
Bill Cummings, Founder Cummings Properties
Admiral, William "Bud" Flanagan (Ret), US Navy
Matthew McCleery, President, Marine Money International
Vice Admiral, Dee Mewbourne (Ret), US Navy
Sam Norton, President, OSG
Leon Topalian, CEO Nucor
Admiral Michael Wettlaufer, 28th Commander, Military Sealift Command
Christopher Wiernicki, CEO, American Bureau of Shipping