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Massachusetts Maritime Academy
101 Academy Drive
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
admissions@maritime.edu
508-830-5000

41.7408° N, 70.6223° W

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Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Welcome Training Ship Patriot State, Friday, October 11

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED OCTOBER 2, 2024…Media representatives are invited to join the Massachusetts Maritime Academy community as it welcomes the arrival of the Training Ship Patriot State to the Academy’s campus on Friday, October 11, at 2 p.m. at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay.

The arrival coincides with the Academy’s hosting of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) annual conference, where more than 200 representatives from maritime universities around the world will be in attendance. Maritime Administrator Rear Admiral Anne Phillips will be on campus to officially sign the ship over to the Academy and to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...

2024

September 27, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Host First Annual Military Appreciation Games Sponsored by Milton CAT

September 25, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Partners with Milton CAT

August 29, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Renews Training Partnership with RelyOn Nutec

August 13, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Cape Cod Collaborative Observe 20th Year of Advanced Studies & Leadership Program

July 22, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Honor Liz Burdock, CEO of Oceantic Network, as Maritime Person of the Year with Emery Rice Medal

July 17, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Cadet Teleri Wilt Receives NDTA Foundation Scholarship for Second Consecutive Year

July 3, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Holds Commencement and Commissioning Exercises

Massachusetts Maritime Academy Holds Commencement and Commissioning Exercises

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JULY 3, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, held its 181st Commencement Exercises on June 22, conferring some 300 undergraduate and 51 graduate degrees.

Leon J. Topalian, a member of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Class of ’91, and Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nucor, the largest recycler and manufacturer of steel and steel products in North America, provided the keynote speech for the ceremony, weaving his alumnus perspective within three key points he shared with the graduates: leading with gratitude, being resilient, and seizing the moment.

“Do not just sit back and watch others take the chances you wish you took,” extolled Topalian. “I urge you to lead with gratitude, be resilient and adaptable, and seize every moment. These are the keys this great institution has provided you…USE THEM.”

In addition to Topalian, honorary degrees were also bestowed on Evangelos M. Marinakis, founder and chairman of Capital Maritime Trading Corp., one of the leading shipowners in the maritime industry, an international businessman, investor and philanthropist, and State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-First Bristol and Plymouth Counties).

“For me, the sea, shipping, the maritime industry, has never been just a job or a business opportunity. It has been a passion. And in life there is nothing like being able to follow your passion all the way,” stated Mr. Marinakis, who currently controls a fleet of 130 vessels.

State Senator Rodrigues, who is also chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, and Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, shared his background as the first in his family to earn a college degree. “I stand before you as living proof of the commitment that our state makes towards public education.

“Massachusetts Maritime Academy is undoubtedly the jewel in our higher public education system – I cannot think of another institution that better prepares their students for the many tough challenges ahead in a 21st century economy,” he continued.

A number of members of the graduating class of 2024 were commissioned prior to the June 22nd Commencement Exercises. Four cadets accepted commissions into the United States Navy on active duty, with another eight accepting United States Navy Reserve commissions. Additionally, four cadets accepted commissions to the Massachusetts National Guard, one to the Vermont National Guard, and one to the United States Coast Guard.

“The commencement and commissioning exercises fill me with such joy, as they represent the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and commitment by our graduates to our institution, and – just as importantly – to themselves,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We wish them nothing but the best, and know that they go forward prepared to meet any challenge with the resources they’ve developed from their classes, their fellow cadets, and their strong alumni community who will support them in all their days ahead.”

About Capital Maritime & Trading Corp.: Capital Maritime is a global shipping company specializing in the maritime transportation of various types of cargo, including LNG, crude oil, refined oil products, edible oils, dry cargo, containerized goods, liquid CO2, and ammonia. Capital Maritime is part of Capital Group, a diversified shipping establishment, which operates a fleet of 130 vessels with a total carrying capacity of about 13 million DWT, 4 million CBM of LNG capacity and 167,216 TEU. The fleet under management includes the vessels of Nasdaq-listed Capital Product Partners L.P. (Nasdaq: CPLP). Capital Maritime’s vessels are designed and equipped to the highest standards, comprising net zero innovative and pioneering technologies, meeting all current regulatory standards. Capital Maritime boasts a vast network of relationships with major oil companies, traders, shipping lines, and other key charterers, backed by a long and successful track record.

About Nucor Corporation: Nucor Corporation is North America’s largest recycler, steel and steel products company. Nucor and its affiliates operate 27 scrap-based steel mills and more than 300 total locations, annually processing more than 20 million tons of ferrous scrap to produce new steel and steel products that are 100% recyclable at the end of their useful life. Committed to shaping the industry's future, Nucor continues to invest in breakthrough technologies aimed at lowering emissions throughout the supply chain, not only enhancing the sustainability of steel production but also empowering partners to achieve their own carbon reduction goals. Recently, Nucor announced Net-Zero science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) targets for 2050, reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility.

June 17, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Hold Class of 2024 Commencement Exercises – Saturday, June 22

Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Hold Class of 2024 Commencement Exercises – Saturday, June 22

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JUNE 17, 2024…Media representatives and the public are invited to join Massachusetts Maritime Academy during the Class of 2024 Commencement Exercises, Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay.

In addition to recognizing the accomplishments of the Class of 2024, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy community will also honor the four following individuals:

Evangelos M. Marinakis, Founder and Chairman of Capital Maritime Trading Corp. and one of the leading shipowners in the maritime industry.
State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-First Bristol and Plymouth Counties), Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Chairperson Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Vice Chair Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, and Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
Leon J. Topalian, a member of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Class of '91, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nucor, a manufacturer of steel and steel products with operating facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Brig. Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse, the last surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of distinguished all-Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps. who served in World War II.

Location:
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
101 Academy Drive
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Saturday, June 22, 2024 10 a.m.

For more information about Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s commencement ceremony, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/about/commencement or contact Nicole Hales at nhales@prfirst.com or 617-947-7983.

May 30, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Receives $2 Million Grant to Build Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Unit

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 30, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, today announced receipt of a $2 million grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to design, permit, and build a Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) unit in the campus’ existing Olympic-sized pool.

With offshore wind projects currently under construction in the Northeast, there has been an increased use of helicopters over crew transfer vessels to transport workers to and from construction vessels on site. Personnel being transferred by helicopter require training to be prepared in case they need to escape the aircraft in the event of an emergency landing on water.

Receipt of the MassCEC grant will allow the Academy’s Maritime Center for Responsible Energy (MCRE), in cooperation with training partner RelyOn Nutec, to move forward with construction of a HUET unit in the campus’ underutilized, Olympic-sized swimming pool. Construction is estimated to take two years, and upon completion the training unit will fall under the supervision of MCRE.
The Academy projects that it could train approximately 320 participants per year. Focus areas will be the Cape & Islands and the South Coast of Massachusetts with established partners and industry professionals seeking training. The Academy will have the ability to support participants from throughout the Commonwealth and beyond, allowing them to take advantage of the HUET unit.

“The Academy has been a leader in offshore wind training, and this grant allows us to further expand our trainings while offering a complete approach to preparing people for careers in offshore wind development,” said Maritime Center for Responsible Energy (MCRE) Executive Director Captain Michael R. Burns, Jr.

“Massachusetts needs to mobilize over 34,000 additional workers to meet our climate goals, and offshore wind is poised to become our largest source of clean energy,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “MassCEC is supporting this industry through key investments in infrastructure, innovation, and workforce development. We’re investing in offshore wind port infrastructure in New Bedford and Salem, and we’re investing in people through programs like Offshore Wind Works. The organizations awarded today are building an equitable workforce that will have the skills and talent to make Massachusetts the national hub for the emerging East Coast offshore wind industry.”

“We are grateful to the MassCEC and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this substantial grant to build a HUET unit on our campus,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The need for helicopter underwater escape training has become increasingly important as offshore wind projects gain momentum in this country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.”

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy : is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and a thirst for adventure. Follow MMA on FB: @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter: @MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center 
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts.

Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded over $650 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.5 billion in private and federal capital.

May 28, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Announces Commencement Honorees

Tuskegee Airman Enoch Woodhouse, Sen. Michael Rodriques, Nucor Steel President Leon Topalian, Evangelos Marinakis, Founder of Capital Maritime Trading Corp. to be Honored

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 28, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, today announced the following honorees who will be recognized during the Class of 2024 Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 22nd:

Brig. Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse, the last surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of distinguished all-Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps. who served in World War II.
State Senator Michael J. Rodriques, (D-First Bristol and Plymouth Counties), Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Chairperson Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Vice Chair Senate Committee on Steering and Policy, and Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
Leon Topalian, a member of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Class of '90, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nucor, a manufacturer of steel and steel products with operating facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Evangelos Marinakis, Founder and Chairman of Capital Maritime Trading Corp. and one of the leading shipowners in the maritime industry.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce this year’s commencement exercise honorees,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Each of these outstanding individuals are held in esteemed respect for their distinctive contributions within their fields and to society in general.”

For more information about Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s commencement ceremony, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/about/commencement.

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy: Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a fully accredited, co-educational, state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, Massachusetts Maritime Academy has prepared students for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest maritime university, Massachusetts Maritime Academy challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Follow Massachusetts Maritime Academy on FB: @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter: @MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

May 21, 2024: Emily Calnan Adams, Member of Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Class of 2016, Receives Massachusetts State Universities Educator Alumni Award

BUZZARDS BAY, HANOVER, ROCKLAND, MA, ISSUED MAY 21, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is delighted to announce that Emily Calnan Adams, a member of the Class of 2016, is the recent recipient of a 2024 Massachusetts State Universities Educator Alumni Award.

Adams was one of nine outstanding educators who graduated from the Commonwealth’s state universities to be recognized during an April 25th ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. The honorees were acknowledged for their teaching excellence, especially in the face of challenging situations, in addition to their contributions to the communities in which they live and work.

A resident of Hanover, Massachusetts, Adams received a Bachelor of Science in marine safety and environmental protection from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a master’s in education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She pursued a career as a chemistry teacher due in large part to “two dedicated, enthusiastic teachers” of hers – Dr. Lori-Ann Noble and Dr. Laurie A. Norman – while a student at the Academy. Presently, Adams teaches all levels of chemistry at Rockland High School, including co taught, college preparatory, honors, and advanced placement. In addition, she serves as advisor to a senior independent study program at Rockland High.

Adams has been nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science
for the State of Massachusetts. She was selected by the Department of Secondary
Education to sit on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) panel; as such she was instrumental in designing the parameters and qualifications used to determine future candidates looking to become chemistry teachers.

“The entire Academy community is proud of Emily for receiving the prestigious Massachusetts State Universities Educator Alumni Award and equally for her dedication to a career that can best be described as outstanding,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “It is particularly gratifying to know that Emily’s desire to teach chemistry was shaped while a student here – bravo to Drs. Noble and Norman!”

PHOTO:

May 10, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Club Hockey Team Ends 2023-2024 Season with a Conference Win, 9th Place AAU D2 National Ranking and Impressive Stats

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 10, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is proud to announce that the Club Hockey Team – which includes its first female player – recently ended the 2023-2024 season with a conference win, an invitation to play in a national tournament, and a record of 20-7-1.

Led by Captain Ryan Prendergast, the Club Hockey Team won the New England Independent Hockey Conference (NEIHC) in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Division 2, going on to an invitation to play in the AAU D2 National Tournament where the team ranked 9th playing against Anna Maria College, Neumann University, and the University of Florida.

Other highlights of the year included the opportunity to travel to Canada for a weekend to compete against Bishops University and a trip to Philadelphia to play in the Empire Classic Tournament. In addition, two of the team players, sophomore Kyle Souza and senior Ryan Glass, received a special invitation to play in the AAU All-Star Tournament in Florida.

The team finished the year with an impressive record of 20-7-1.

Prendergast, who will graduate from the Academy this spring, praised the entire team, singling out goaltender Liam Polles as being “the backbone for the team the entirety of the season” and for receiving the 1st Team All-American award in addition to being voted into the All-Star game. Prendergast also pointed to Head Coach Dave Maccini for “providing great support to the team on and off the ice.”

The 2023-2024 Club Hockey Team included the first woman player, Katie Smiley of Brigantine, New Jersey, a Marine Transportation major, who also played for the Philadelphia Little Flyers prior to entering the Academy as a first-year cadet last September.

In addition, later this summer the 2024 Prendi Cup Golf Tournament will honor two MMA hockey alumni that have passed away. John “Prendi” Prendergast (MMA 1985) will be honored for his dedication to Hockey Club and the lasting impact he made on so many, and Joseph Benting (MMA 2022) will be honored for his devotion to the team and the many connections he made with his teammates. The proceeds from the July 19 tournament will benefit the Hockey Club to help offset costs for the season. For more information or to register for the tournament, please visit www.maritime.edu/clubs-orgs/intercollegiate/hockey.

“What a truly amazing season our Club Hockey Team had,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Each year this team continues to grow and make its mark on both regional and national levels – congratulations to all members of the 2023-2024 team for one outstanding season.”

PHOTO: Back row from left to right: Will Hannum, James Pioppi, Nick Souretis, Connor Merrick, Connor Durant, Jack St. Pierre, George Vadyak, Dan Kane, Ryan Glass, Ben Kotsifas, Aidan Harris, Marsh Hickman, Casey Donovan, Ryan Kane, Eoin Faherty, Ian Stapleton, Matt Duane, Dave Maccini.
Front row from left to right: Jack Dickie, Shea Cunningham, Brady Leslie, Jack Braga, Owen Lapworth, James Driscoll, Colin Campbell, Patrick Keenan, James Eustace, Ryan Prendergast, Aidan Weir, Liam Polles, Jack Garland, Kyle Souza, and Katie Smiley.

April 29, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Cadets Take First and Third Place in Intercollegiate Supply Chain Competition

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 29, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy ( www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is proud to announce that two student teams from the International Maritime Business Department clinched first and third place in the 2024 Supply Chain Online Competition hosted by the UMASS – Boston College of Management.

The two Academy teams were among 15 participating teams from nine universities that included formidable competitors including Babson College, Bentley University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Taking home first place were team members Nicholas Lamattina (Groveland), Evan Presswood (South Dennis), and Richard Pagliuca (Saugus). Third place honors went to team members Ryan Mackintire (Raynham), Thomas LaCourt (Weymouth), and Christian Winkler (Longmeadow). The teams were guided by Professor Paul Szwed of the International Maritime Business Department.

The annual five-hour competition challenges students to test their abilities in a virtual business simulation by applying learning tools, theoretical knowledge, and classical training.

“Our IMB students showcased their prowess in maximizing organizational profit while managing the complexities of the supply chain,” said Prof. Szwed, noting that the student teams had to manage ordering, inventory, transportation, and capacity in the face of seasonal demand over two-years of simulation.

“Congratulations to all of the IMB student participants in this prestigious intercollegiate competition,” said Dr. Bani Ghosh, professor and IMB department chair at the Academy. “And special thanks to Prof. Szwed for his guidance to and support of our student teams.”

“The entire Academy community is proud of the skill, dedication, and exceptional performance of our IBM teams,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “These victories not only underscore the Academy's commitment to excellence, but also signal our position as a leader in business education.”

PHOTO: 1 First Place Team (L to R) : Nicholas Lamattina, Evan Presswood, Richard Pagliuca

PHOTO 2 Third Place Team (L to R) : Ryan Mackintire, Thomas LaCourt, Christian Winkler

April 16, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Participate in Student Paper Night at MIT; Cadets take 2nd place for submission on NSMV TS Patriot State

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 16, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is proud to announce that a team of four cadets in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) recently participated in SNAME Paper Night at MIT, taking 2^nd place for a written overview of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) TS Patriot State.

Cadets Jack Clasby of Marblehead, Matthew Fluke of Falmouth, Bridgette Boriolo of Linden, CA, and Taylor Lane of Roslindale were awarded for the preparation and presentation of their paper on the TS Patriot State which will replace the Academy’s training ship, the TS Kennedy. The new training ship is scheduled for delivery this year and will be docked at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy pier on Taylor’s Point.

The Student Paper Awards are conferred annually for papers presented at a meeting of SNAME, an internationally recognized society of individual members serving the maritime and offshore industries and their suppliers.

“Congratulations and bravo to Jack, Matthew, Bridgette, and Taylor for their award-winning submission on the TS Patriot State,” said Lieutenant Commander Roger Gill, Associate Professor and SNAME Student Advisor, extending appreciation to SNAME members Macarthur Dannelly of Crownsville, MD, Mario Monteiro of Brockton, and Luke Sacco of Uxbridge for their support.

PHOTO: (left to right) LCDR Roger Gill, Matthew Fluke, Jack Clasby, Bridgette Boriolo, Taylor Lane, and Instructor Susanne Dannessa.

April 4, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Women’s Network Renames Lady Buc Scholarship to Christine M. Griffin ’83 Endowed Scholarship

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 4, 2024… At the recent Women’s Network Event of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, it was announced that the Lady Buc Scholarship has been renamed the Christine M. Griffin ’83 Endowed Scholarship in honor of the MMA alumna whose many accomplishments include serving in key posts under two United States presidents.

The announcement was made at the annual Women’s Network Event held on the MMA campus on March 7^th in front of an audience including Griffin, her family, friends, classmates, and shipmates.

Griffin, a graduate of the Academy’s Class of 1983, served on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the George W. Bush administration and subsequently with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management under the Obama administration, where she was responsible for the implementation of the then-president’s Executive Order on Increasing Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in the Federal Workforce. From 2011 to 2013 she was the Assistant Secretary for Disability Policies and Programs for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

Griffin, who earned her Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School, has held posts in disability advocacy groups throughout her career, including as Executive Director of the Disability Law Center, a private non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. Griffin held that post from 1996 to 2005, and again from 2013 to her 2018 retirement from the Center.

Her extensive history of service and advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities includes serving as a member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council; the Board of the Easter Seals Massachusetts; the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education; and the Board of Directors of the New England Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Of particular pride to the MMA community is Griffin’s tenure as Acting President of the Academy from 1993 to 1994.

Griffin is herself a veteran, having served on active duty in the United States Army from 1974 to 1977.

“In renaming this scholarship for Christine, the Academy both honors her accomplishments and seeks to perpetuate her spirit of service among future generations of cadets,” said Kelley Lessard, assistant dean of advancement at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

For general or donation information about the Christine M. Griffin ’83 Endowed Scholarship, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/alumni-friends/give.

Photo: Christine Griffin, MMA 1983

Photo (left to right): Cadets Marlo Stark, Groton, CT; Alaina Liddell, Weymouth, MA; Jennifer Verrilli, Southington, CT; Marchela Corolla, New Haven, CT; Mariana Gubert, Newtonville, MA; Massiel Leon, Tampa, FL; Dianna Persaud, Georgetown, Guyana; Meghan Berg, Marion, MA; Jessica Hinds, Sagamore Beach, MA; Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Honoree Christine Griffin, MMA 1983; Cadets Lauren O'Malley, Rochester, MA; Olivia Camelo, Carver, MA; Leeah Bachan, Las Lomas, Trinidad and Tobago; Grace Joy, Salem, VA; Kavita Singh, Georgetown, Guyana; Cole Francavilla, Stoneham, MA; and Kobe Copeland, Middletown, RI.

April 2, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Announces 2024-2025 Regimental Leadership and Cadet Academic Leadership Roster

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 2, 2024…Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning today announced the Regimental Leadership and the Cadet Academic Leadership Team selections for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Class of 2025 Regimental Leadership roster includes 38 cadets who hail mainly from Massachusetts in addition to other locales. The following list includes 28 Bay State representatives, with the balance from the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The 2024-2025 Regimental Leadership

Regimental Officers:
Marnay Acri-Burns, Regimental Commander, Stafford, VA
Andrew Fusco, Regimental Training Ship Commander, Wrentham, MA
Quintin Pease, Regimental Executive Officer, Marshfield, MA
Sydney Crotty, Cadet Chief Mate, Winthrop, MA
Matthew Pray, Cadet Chief Engineer, Higganum, CT
Shane McNamara, SGA President, Fairhaven, MA
Audrey Manning, Regimental Adjutant, Hanover, MA
Nicholas Molloy, Regimental Operations Officer, Marshfield, MA
Marina Stephens, Regimental Training & Retention Officer, Mattapoisett, MA
Mark Marvel, Regimental Academics Operations Officer, Taunton, MA
Brendan Healy, Regimental Military Veterans Liaison Officer, Quincy, MA
Jershawn Freeman, Regimental Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Jersey City, NJ
Aiden Harrington, Regimental Community Service Officer, Mattapoisett, MA
Salvador Relle, Regimental Intramural Officer, Belle Chasse, LA

1st Battalion (1st, 3rd, 5th & 7th Companies):
Benjamin Young, Battalion Commander, Hanover, MA
Ryan Sullivan-Daley, Battalion Executive Officer, Belchertown, MA
Anthony Welch, Battalion Training & Retention Officer, Lanesborough, MA
Jacob Thorpe, Battalion Adjutant, Woodland Park, CO
Luke Rogers, Battalion Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Hanover, MA

2nd Battalion (2nd, 4th & 6th Companies):
Noah Myers, Battalion Commander, Charleston, SC
Finn McQueeney, Battalion Executive Officer, Cape Elizabeth, ME
Matthew McFarlane, Battalion Training & Retention Officer, Nantucket, MA
Ryan Healy, Battalion Adjutant, Quincy, MA
Nicholas Murphy, Battalion Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Rockland, MA

Company Staff:
Quinn Kelly, 1CO Company Commander, West Roxbury, MA
Alexandra Dickinson, 1CO Executive Officer, Kingston, MA
William Gorry, 2CO Company Commander, Wallingford, CT
Matthew White, 2CO Executive Officer, Braintree, MA
Jack Estabrook, 3CO Company Commander, Bridgewater, MA
Luke Maffeo, 3CO Executive Officer, Dorchester Center, MA
George Laing, 4CO Company Commander, Milton, MA
Ashley Brennan, 4CO Executive Officer, Marshfield, MA
Lily Pires, 5CO Company Commander, Yarmouth, ME
Zachary Maffeo, 5CO Executive Officer, Dorchester Center, MA
Sean Davis, 6CO Company Commander, Lovettsville, VA
Liam Howell, 6CO Executive Officer, Sandwich, MA
Tyler Fountain, 7CO Company Commander, Centerville, MA
Ryan Leclair, 7CO Executive Officer, Westminster, MA

The 2024-2025 Cadet Academic Leadership Team
Regimental Academic Operations Officer: Mark Marvel, Taunton, MA
Regimental Academic Resource Rate: Evan Barruzza, Weymouth, MA
International Maritime Business:
Nicholas Molloy, Operations Officer, Marshfield, MA
Liam Howell, Assistant Operations Officer, Sandwich, MA
Zachary Maffeo, Assistant Operations Officer, Dorchester Center, MA
Kylie Maher, Assistant Operations Officer, Halifax, MA

Energy Systems Engineering:
Brendan Hines, Operations Officer, Quincy, MA
Matthew Duane, Training Rate, Braintree, MA
Liam Hines, Training Rate, Quincy, MA
Owen Roth, Training Rate, East Kingston, NH

Facilities Engineering:
Michael Curran, Operations Officer, Hanson, MA
Jack Gourley, Training Rate, North Chelmsford, MA
Daniel Ryan, Rate Training Rate, Marshfield, MA

Marine Science, Safety & Environmental Protection:
Lucas Pender, Operations Officer, Westford, MA
Aiden Harrington, Training Rate, Mattapoisett, MA
Jessica Rotondo, Training Rate, Sandwich, MA
Casey Proto, Training Rate, Centerville, MA

Emergency Management:
Jennifer Verrilli, Operations Officer, Southington, CT
Joshua Desmond, Deputy Operations Officer, Middleboro, MA
Luke Maffeo, Training Rate, Dorchester Center, MA
Gabrielle Giammasi, Training Rate, Centerville, MA
Ryan Leclair, Training Rate, Westminster, MA

The highly competitive selection process for the regimental and academic leadership roles consisted of an application, position specific assignments, a physical fitness assessment, a public speaking assessment, and an interview with the selection committee comprised of members from numerous departments on campus.

“We are delighted to announce the Class of 2025 leadership cadets,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The entire MMA community applauds these fine young women and men who have achieved leadership roles while at the Academy and who are certain to be future leaders in the maritime industries.”

March 12, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Cadets Visit Europe’s Largest Seaport during Experiential Learning Abroad Program

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MARCH 12, 2024…Cadets participating in the summer 2023 session of the International Maritime Business Unit (IMBU) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, visited the Maersk main office in Rotterdam and APM Terminal (APMT) in Europort, Netherlands. APMT is an independent division of Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk.

The trip was led by Capt. Ashok Pandey, Master Mariner, FICS, PhD, an Associate Professor of International Maritime Business at the Academy. It provided cadets with the opportunity to understand the intricacies of container shipping logistics and view APM terminal Maasvlakte II, the world’s most advanced fully automated container terminal.

Maersk, a global leader in offering decarbonization solutions for ships, launched the world's first container ship “Laura Maersk,” powered by a green methanol-fuel engine, last year. The cadets witnessed an engaging presentation on decarbonization and alternative fuel plans for Maersk vessels delivered by Captain Andreas M. van der Wurff, the Port Optimisation Manager at Maersk. In its quest for green transformation in the maritime transport sector, Maersk has ordered several large methanol-enabled container vessels including the “Ane Maersk,” scheduled to be delivered in 2024-25.

“MMA’s International Maritime Business program prepares cadets for careers as business professionals serving the complex global supply chain and offers various programs for International Experiential Learning and Cultural Awareness each year,” said Capt. Pandey. “The specialized education and training provides a window to the global shipping industry and gives cadets an opportunity to understand the cultural and human story behind the international maritime industry.

“This enriching program and experience helps prepare participating cadets for what lies ahead for the maritime industry, giving them an edge in the increasingly global marketplace,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

March 7, 2024: Women on the Water Conference at Massachusetts Maritime Academy Attended by Alumni, Cadets from Maritime Academies Across the Country

Three-day event empowers future female leaders in the maritime industry

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MARCH 7, 2024… The 12^th annual Women on the Water (WOW) Conference, this year hosted by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), provided an opportunity for undergraduates from maritime academies from across the country to learn from female industry leaders and experts in the maritime industry, meet peers on the same career path, and facilitate networking.

With more than 50 panelists and moderators, the three-day event held February 29 through March 2 at the Academy featured panel discussions on topics including work-life balance, clean energy, deep sea, and shore-side opportunities.

Keynote addresses were delivered by Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Administrator Maritime Administration/MARAD, Vice Admiral Joanna M. Nunan, Superintendent of The United States Merchant Marine Academy, Jennifer Downing, Executive Director of New Bedford Ocean Cluster, and Mary Regina Thomann, Vice Chair Massachusetts Maritime Academy Board of Trustees.

Other highlights of the well-attended conference included an interactive panel session discussing allyship and mentoring, networking events designed to prepare students for the ever-evolving maritime industry, a guided ferry harbor tour of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and New Bedford Commerce Terminal sponsored by Vineyard Offshore, and a performance by the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus.

“This inspiring conference not only served to showcase the remarkable achievements of women in the maritime industry and highlight their essential contributions to the nation’s maritime workforce, but it also provided an intergenerational platform for seasoned, novice and promising mariners to share experiences, knowledge, viewpoints, and aspirations,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The entire MMA community thanks all who participated, making the 12^th annual Women on the Water conference one to remember for years to come.”

Photo: Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Administrator Maritime Administration/MARAD, delivering her keynote address.

March 6, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Maritime Center for Responsible Energy Now in Fifth Year

Over 700 trained in Global Wind Organization Basic Safety and Basic Technical Training

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MARCH 6, 2024…The Maritime Center for Responsible Energy (MCRE) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a top-ranked public university and leader in offshore wind training, is presently celebrating its fifth year offering courses to cadets and those in the local community pursuing careers in the continually emerging offshore wind industry.

More than 700 participants have received training in Global Wind Organization (GWO) Basic Safety Training, Basic Safety Refresher, and/or Basic Technical Training since the Academy established the MCRE in November of 2019. The MCRE programs have consistently received high participant feedback scores, with an overall 4.8 out of 5 rating, according to training partner RelyOn Nutec.

MCRE Executive Director Captain Michael R. Burns Jr. and his team developed the comprehensive and robust offshore wind training program, considering the specific needs of the industry and the emerging workforce. The innovative approach has allowed the MCRE to offer a tailored curriculum to prepare those entering the offshore wind workforce to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience to succeed in an industry that offers a large range of employment opportunities.

These courses provide offshore wind training to participants in workforce development programs, trade unions, and all personnel involved in the construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore wind turbines.

At present, the MCRE is preparing to offer GWO Advanced Rescue Training and additional Basic Technical Training Modules, with registration dates available by the end of 2024.

The Academy’s simulator training capabilities are now also being expanded to include Off-Shore, Crew Transfer, and Service Operations Vessel training. Simulator training in Windfarm Operations will likewise be offered to enhance the understanding of vessel operations in a wind farm environment.

Additionally, it is with great excitement that Massachusetts Maritime Academy anticipates offering Helicopter Underwater Escape Training in 2026, an impending addition to the MCRE course program that would prepare offshore crew personnel traveling to and from offshore facilities for an emergency evacuation in the event of a crash landing on water.

The Academy’s Maritime Center for Responsible Energy has been the recipient of a number of awards since its inception in 2019, including the 2022 Oceantic Network’s Ventus Award for Health and Safety Program of the Year in partnership with RelyOn Nutec.

“Five years is an impressive milestone for us to hit, and especially exciting given how quickly offshore wind is becoming a reality in our region,” said Burns. “Given the industry’s continuing advancement, now as ever we continue to be focused on and committed to providing the most comprehensive training sessions possible, and we look forward to continuing to expand our offerings.”

“As the offshore wind industry continues to emerge with great speed, it is imperative to provide our cadets and the local workforce with the proper training to succeed in this globally impactful market,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We are proud to be doing just that.”

February 22, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Morgan Banville, PhD Receives 2024 CCCC Outstanding Dissertation Award in Technical Communication

BUZZARDS BAY, ISSUED FEBRUARY 22, 2024…Morgan Banville, PhD, an assistant professor of Humanities at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Dissertation Award in Technical Communication from the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), a constituent organization within the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Dr. Banville was awarded the honor for her dissertation “Am I Who I Say I Am? The Illusion of Choice: Biometric Identification in Healthcare.” Her award-winning dissertation was evaluated by the CCCC selection committee according to five criteria, including originality of research and overall quality of writing and was chosen based in part on its “exceptional methodology, introducing the novel framework of ‘interlocking surveillance’ to analyze technology’s role in social inequities.”

She will be announced as the award recipient at the CCCC Awards Presentation on April 5, during the 2024 CCCC Annual Convention in Spokane, WA.

Dr. Banville, who joined the Massachusetts Maritime Academy faculty in August of 2023, received her doctorate in Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication from East Carolina University in the same year. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth.

“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized by CCCC and want to extend my appreciation to the Awards committee, as well as my own dissertation committee (Nikki, Erin, Will, and Emma), family, and friends,” said Dr. Banville. “My dissertation is foundational to my goal of creating more public-facing scholarship identifying and exploring the material impacts of surveillance, especially focusing on biometric technologies.”

“The entire Mass Maritime community extends its congratulations to Morgan; she is highly deserving of this prestigious award from the Conference on College Composition and Communication,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

February 20, 2024: Women on the Water Conference at Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Feature Tour of New Bedford Harbor and Offshore Wind

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED FEBRUARY 20, 2024… As host in partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) of this year’s Women on the Water (WOW) Conference, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, has planned a tour of the New Bedford Harbor for those registered to attend the February 29-March 2 event.

The off-site tour, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, will transport participants from the Academy to the Cuttyhunk Ferry for a guided tour of the New Bedford Harbor, focusing on offshore wind, during which representatives from Clean Energy Center (CEC), the New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC), and the New Bedford Port Authority will provide information about offshore wind and address the collaboration between private sector, public sector, and academic partners to establish New Bedford as the leading ocean economy on the East Coast.

The tour is scheduled for the final day of the Women on the Water Conference, a summit that showcases the remarkable achievements of women in the maritime industry and highlights their essential contributions to the nation’s maritime workforce. The conference features panel discussions, keynote speeches, mock interviews and networking events designed to prepare female cadets and maritime students for the ever-evolving maritime industry.

Women on the Water offers cadets an invaluable opportunity to learn from seasoned mariners, industry leaders and experts in maritime professional development. The conference’s primary goal is to foster camaraderie and facilitate networking among peers.
Registration remains open for those wishing to attend the conference. To register, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/wow.

“The New Bedford Harbor tour will be the perfect culmination of the inspiring WOW Conference,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

February 13, 2024: Administrator and Deputy Administrator of MARAD to Speak at Massachusetts Maritime Academy During Women on the Water Conference

Feb. 29-March 2 event in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Maritime Administration

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED FEBRUARY 13, 2024… Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is excited to announce that Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), and Deputy Administrator Tamekia Flack will speak during the 12th Women on the Water (WOW) Conference, this year hosted by the Academy in partnership with MARAD.

Each year, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) cohorts with one of the maritime academies to organize the Women on the Water Conference. The multi-day event will be held on the MMA campus from February 29-March 2, and showcases the remarkable achievements of women in the maritime industry and highlights their essential contributions to the nation’s maritime workforce. The conference features panel discussions, keynote speeches, mock interviews and networking events designed to prepare female cadets and maritime students for the ever-evolving maritime industry.

Flack, who was sworn in as Deputy Administrator of MARAD on July 3, 2023 after having served as MARAD’s Chief Counsel, will participate in a panel discussion on Allyship/Mentoring during an afternoon conference session on Thursday, February 29th.

Rear Admiral Phillips, US Navy (Ret.) will deliver the Keynote Address preceding dinner on the 29th.
As head of MARAD, Philips advises and assists the US Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters. Phillips served nearly 31 years as a surface warfare officer. Her final tour of duty, as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, included the direct oversight of 14 ships and 10 subordinate commands, which represented all the Amphibious Expeditionary Forces on the East Coast of the United States.

Women on the Water offers cadets an invaluable opportunity to learn from seasoned mariners, industry leaders and experts in maritime professional development. The conference’s primary goal is to foster camaraderie and facilitate networking among peers.
Registration remains open for those wishing to attend this inspiring conference. To register, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/wow.

“The entire Academy community looks forward to welcoming MARAD Administrator Rear Admiral Phillips and Deputy Administrator Flack at the upcoming WOW Conference,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, noting that Women on the Water highlights the vital role and contribution women play in the nation’s maritime workforce. “It is an honor to host this important conference in partnership with MARAD.”

January 29, 2024: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Announces PSEG Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen from New Jersey

A total of $37,500 in scholarships to be awarded this fall

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JANUARY 29, 2024… Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a top- ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, today announced the availability of scholarships thanks to the Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. Foundation (PSEG Foundation).

Five scholarships of $7,500 each will be awarded for the fall 2024 semester to incoming freshmen who are New Jersey residents. Scholarship recipients must meet the educational and test criteria standards set by the MMA admissions committee and the state of Massachusetts and demonstrate financial need. Priority will be given to students from underrepresented groups.

PSEG is a diversified energy company headquartered in Newark, N.J., with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, a pledge that dovetails with the mission of the Academy’s Captain Paul Cuffee Center for Inclusion to prioritize inclusivity in all campus aspects.

“These scholarships will help incoming MMA freshmen from New Jersey interested in a career in the maritime, engineering or related science, technology and mathematics industries,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We are grateful to the PSEG Foundation, which shares the Academy’s dedication to inclusivity and diversity, and its focus on a strong undergraduate educational foundation in the STEM fields.”

“We are pleased to fund the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s scholarship program that will offer talented students from New Jersey the opportunity to attend the Academy,” said Calvin Ledford Jr., PSEG Foundation president and director, corporate social responsibility. “At PSEG Foundation, we believe in the transformative power of education. Supporting bright minds on a local level aligns seamlessly with our promise to foster diversity and excellence in STEM fields. We believe in the potential of every individual and are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality education. Every person deserves the chance to shine and succeed.”

The PSEG Foundation prioritizes investments in promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy operates on a rolling admissions basis for both fall and spring terms. For more information or to apply to the Academy, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/landing- apply.

2023

December 28, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Michael Burns Jr. Receives Eugene H. Rooney Jr. Public Service Award

BUZZARDS BAY, PLYMOUTH, MA, ISSUED DECEMBER 28, 2023…Michael Burns, Jr., executive director of the Maritime Center for Responsible Energy at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is the recipient of the 2023 Eugene H. Rooney Jr. Public Service Award for exemplary employee performance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the final selection made by Governor Maura Healey.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Performance Recognition Program formally recognizes and acknowledges Commonwealth employees for their extraordinary contributions to public service.

The prestigious Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. Public Service Award was established to honor the memory of its namesake who spent the majority of his 22 years of public service as deputy personnel administrator at the Human Resources Division, always striving to create both a learning and team-oriented environment while personifying creativity and innovation in public service. The annual award is given to the public employee who has demonstrated these ideals in the area of human resources development and training.

Burns, who received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, joined the Academy staff in October of 2011 as director of the Center for Maritime and Professional Training. In the summer of 2021 he was named the Academy’s first executive director of the Maritime Center for Responsible Energy (MCRE).

Through strategic planning, Burns has developed a comprehensive and robust offshore wind training program, considering the specific needs of the industry and the emerging workforce. His innovative approach has allowed the MCRE to offer a tailored curriculum to prepare those entering the offshore wind workforce to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience to succeed in this industry that offers a large range of employment opportunities.

The courses provided by Burns and the MCRE provide offshore wind training not only to Academy students, but also to participants in workforce skills programs, state agencies, municipalities, and county governments.

“It’s quite an honor to receive the Eugene H. Rooney Jr. award – named after such a consummate professional,” said Burns, a resident of Plymouth. “I am humbled and grateful to receive this award.”

“Mike’s leadership and innovation has greatly contributed to establishing the Academy as a leader in offshore renewable energy training,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The entire Academy community extends its congratulations to Mike for this well-deserved distinction from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

December 12, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Celebrates Writing Week

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED DECEMBER 12, 2023… Students, faculty, and staff from Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, recently came together to celebrate, explore, and discuss the importance of the written word.

Beginning on October 30 through November 2, a gallery display of writing-themed posters created by students were on view. The posters represented a variety of genres and explored various aspects of writing – from technical and career-focused to reflective and expressive.

The week-long celebration culminated with a panel discussion led by Dr. Caleb Pendygraft of the Humanities Department. Faculty author panelists Dr. Laurie Norman of the Science and Math Department, Drs. Morgan Banville and Nelson Ritschel of the Humanities Department, and Dr. Samantha Montano from the Emergency Management Department addressed a series of questions about their writing processes and publishing experiences.

The event concluded with a Q & A session, allowing students to respond to the panelists’ insights on how writing fuels their inspiration, scholarship, methodology, and advocacy.

Writing Celebration Week was sponsored by the Humanities and Library Services departments, under Library Director Carolyn Michaud and Dr. Pendygraft.

“While writing may seem a secondary proficiency to the Academy’s special mission-focused cadets, this panel discussion proved that it is one of the most essential and influential skills students can develop,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We applaud the organizers of this special project and thank all panelists for their participation.”

December 4, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Receives $50,000 Donation from Provincetown VFW in Honor of Lewis A. Young

Scholarship to be established in the name of World War I veteran

BUZZARDS BAY, PROVINCETOWN, MA, ISSUED DECEMBER 4, 2023… Massachusetts Maritime Academy ( www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, is the recent recipient of a $50,000 donation from the Provincetown VFW Post 3152 to establish an annual scholarship in tribute to Lewis Armstrong Young, a Provincetown native and World War I veteran who died in 1918.

Merchant Marine Captain Allan Metcalfe, vice president of operations, represented the Academy during the October 15th check presentation.

Lewis Armstrong Young enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force as a machinist’s mate in July of 1917 and was assigned to the U.S.S. Marietta, a schooner-rigged gunboat engaged in convoy duty. In October of 1918 he died onboard the Marietta from the influenza pandemic. He was buried in France, at a plot assigned to the U.S. Navy; in 1920 he was brought home to Provincetown where he was buried with full military honors.

In the 1930s, charter members of the Provincetown Veterans of Foreign Wars named their post in honor of Young. The VFW building bearing Young’s name was razed in 2020 – that, coupled with a decline in membership has precipitated the dissolution of Post 3152. The $50,000 donation to the Academy served as one of the final acts of VFW Post 3152 before its closure.

“The Lewis Armstrong Young Scholarship will keep the legacy of the Provincetown hometown hero alive,” said Captain Metcalfe, noting he was “deeply moved” by the recent check presentation. “The Academy is grateful to VFW Post 3152 not only for this significant donation, but also for its work over the many years as an advocate on behalf of local veterans.”

Photo (left to right): Craig Butilier, commander of VFW Post 3152; Capt. Elizabeth Simmons, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Assistant Dean Mary Ellen Mulholland, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; and Capt. Allen Metcalfe Jr., vice president of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. (Photo by Nancy Bloom)

November 29, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Host 12th Annual Women on the Water Conference

FEB. 29-MARCH 2 EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION’S MARITIME ADMINISTRATION; APPLICATIONS TO PRESENT, SPONSORSHIPS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED NOVEMBER 29, 2023… Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, is proud to host the 12th Women on the Water (WOW) Conference scheduled February 29 to March 2, 2024.

The Women on the Water Conference is brought together by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), which partners with one of the maritime academies across the country to organize each event. This multi-day conference showcases the remarkable achievements of women in the maritime industry and highlights their essential contributions to the nation’s maritime workforce. The conference features panel discussions, keynote speeches, mock interviews and networking events designed to prepare female cadets and maritime students for the ever-evolving maritime industry.

Women on the Water offers cadets the ability to learn from seasoned mariners, industry leaders and experts in maritime professional development. The conference’s primary goal is to foster camaraderie and facilitate networking among peers.

Presenters are presently being sought to share their knowledge and insights on a range of subjects and themes, including vessel-based and shoreside experiences and career opportunities. Key contributors to a panel discussion on “Advice to My Younger Self” are also sought.

“The entire Academy community is excited to host the upcoming 12th WOW Conference,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The event will feature a wide scope of relevant topics and will offer an invaluable opportunity for cadets to gain insight from accomplished women regarding careers in the maritime industries, challenges facing the industry sector, and strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.”

Sponsorships for the February 29 to March 2 conference are now available. For more information about sponsorships or to register, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/wow.

November 15, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Professor Nelson Ritschel to Deliver Keynote Speech at Bernard Shaw Conference in Dublin

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED NOVEMBER 15, 2023…Nelson Ritschel, Ph.D., professor and chairperson of the Humanities Department at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, will be the keynote speaker at the George Bernard Shaw International Conference in Dublin, Ireland.

The "Bernard Shaw's Ireland: An International Perspective" conference will take place June 5-7, 2024, at the Museum of Literature, affiliated with University College Dublin, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland.

Dr. Ritschel will deliver “Shaw and the 1920s London-Irish Theatre” during the international conference in tribute to the renowned playwright, critic, and socialist.

“As Nelson is the leading scholar in Irish and Bernard Shaw studies, we are delighted that he has agreed to deliver the keynote address,” said Dr. Audrey McNamara, one of the organizers of the international conference.

Dr. Ritschel has been a faculty member of the Academy’s Humanities Department since 2001. He served as department chairperson, at the rank of professor, from 2012-2017, and again from 2020-2023. He has authored seven books on Irish literature, including three titles on Shaw: Shaw, Synge, Connolly, and Socialist Provocation (2011), Bernard Shaw, W. T. Stead, and the New Journalism (2017), and Bernard Shaw, Sean O'Casey, and the Dead James Connolly (2021). He also co-edited Bernard Shaw and the Making of Modern Ireland (2020). Dr. Ritschel has also guest co-edited SHAW: The Journal of Bernard Shaw Studies, Special Theme: Shaw and Money, 36.1 (2016), the Eugene O'Neill Review (2018), and SHAW: The Journal of Bernard Shaw Studies, Special Theme: Shaw, Journalist, 41.2 (2021). He earned his Ph.D. from Brown University.

“I am so honored to have been selected as the keynote speaker at the George Bernard Shaw International Conference,” said Ritschel. “I look forward to sharing many ideas with the attendees and fellow presenters, and celebrating the work of this important dramatist and public intellectual.”

“The entire Academy community is delighted and proud of the recognition Dr. Ritschel continues to receive as the foremost academic on both Irish and Shaw studies,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “It is quite an honor to be selected to speak at this prestigious conference, and it is well-deserved.”

November 10, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy and State University of New York Bands to Participate in NYC Veterans Day Parade

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED NOVEMBER 10, 2023… Massachusetts Maritime Academy and State University of New York – the two oldest maritime colleges in the country – will unite on Saturday, November 11^th when their respective Bands and Honor Guards will participate in the New York City Veterans Day Parade.

The two colleges will be combined under one banner representing the US Merchant Service and Maritime Industry at the New York City Veterans Day Parade, the largest Veterans Day commemoration in the nation.

The Academy’s “Pride of the Regiment” Band, Honor Guard, and Drill Team perform at events and parades during fall, winter, sea term and spring semesters. Band members have traveled over 4,200 miles annually and performed in several nationally recognized events from Plymouth, Boston and Holyoke Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C., Newport, Rhode Island, and New York City. “Pride of the Regiment” averages 50 engagements a year, not including on campus formations and ceremonies.

“It is a distinct honor to participate in the New York City Veterans Day Parade,” said Wayne Magee, director of Bands, Honor Guard & Drill Team “The Pride of the Regiment.” “We look forward to this first-of-a-kind collaboration with State University of New York and will take great pride in representing the Academy.”

“The entire Academy community is thrilled to learn that our ‘Pride of the Regiment’ will take part in the long-standing New York City Veterans Day Parade, and we are further delighted that it will share the honor with State University of New York,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy will also be represented at the Wareham Veterans Day Parade on November 11, where Allan Metcalfe, vice president of operations, will be a speaker. Captain Metcalfe was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in June 1985 and was winged in June 1987. He served with distinction as an F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer with VF-103, The Sluggers. He flew over 25 carrier-based combat missions during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm aboard USS Saratoga. For his service, Capt. Metcalfe was awarded the Air Medal with Combat "V," the Strike Flight Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait).

In addition, several student veterans will participate at an outer Cape VFW event on November 11^th in commemoration of Veterans Day.

Photo: The “Pride of the Regiment” at the New York City parade in 2021.

November 1, 2023: Cadet Cambria Parrott Represents Massachusetts Maritime Academy During Massachusetts STEM Week

BUZZARDS BAY, BREWSTER, MA, ISSUED NOVEMBER 1, 2023… Cadet Cambria Parrott, a senior at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, was selected as the Academy’s representative at the Commonwealth’s 2023 STEM Week, sponsored by the Healey-Driscoll Administration.

The annual statewide event, which took place during the third week of October, is organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council in partnership with the state’s nine regional STEM networks. STEM Week seeks to boost the interest, awareness, and ability of all students to see themselves in STEM opportunities.

Cadet Parrott is a resident of Brewster, Massachusetts. Upon graduating from the Academy in 2024, she will have attained her Coast Guard License and will pursue a career in marine engineering.
“During my time at the academy I loved learning how to appreciate the impact of engineering solutions on society as a whole,” said Cadet Parrott in her STEMbassador video. “We are working toward creating a more sustainable future, developing energy efficient solutions, and protecting our environment, and my hope is that other students will take part in finding solutions to do so.”

“Cambria represented the Academy well during Massachusetts STEM Week,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, noting the importance of STEM education. “The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has and continues to be a central focus that is critical to our future.”

October 17, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Holds Grand Opening of the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED OCTOBER 17, 2023…Honored guests including descendants of Captain Paul Cuffe filled the recently constructed Fantail Student Center at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on September 14th during the grand opening of the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion.

Formerly known as the Office of Intercultural Engagement, the office has been renamed to honor Captain Paul Cuffe, a master mariner, philanthropist, abolitionist, and education advocate.

With a mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through programs, events, and student support initiatives, the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion also continues the legacy of its namesake, a man whose life’s work revolved around social justice.

"The Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion stands to honor the integrity, leadership, and spirit of perseverance exemplified by its namesake’s life,” said Patrick Nobrega, director of the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion. "We pledge that this center will be a space for cadets to learn, grow, be challenged, and engage with our diverse and interconnected world. Through DEI programs, global learning, and inclusive leadership practices, we reflect on our past, acknowledge our present, and strive for a more equitable future. This is the only way to move forward as a society.”

"Through the Captain Paul Cuffe Center, the Academy will be able to further support this mission with a designated space for all students to tell their stories with a team that is ready to show its support to current and future cadets,” said 1/c Bridget Ruiz, regimental diversity and inclusion officer. "When we come together and support a common cause or shared vision, our view broadens and we're able to recognize things that we never could have seen on our own. As proven here today we are not alone in our shared vision, and together as shipmates and as a community we can ensure cadets of all backgrounds have bright futures."

Descendants of Captain Paul Cuffe, including 4th great grandson Robert Kelley, were guests of honor. Along with members of the center’s staff they opened the curtains to unveil the office in an expression of solidarity with what the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion signifies – bringing awareness to the importance of representation of all.

The program also featured welcoming remarks from Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Michael Ortiz, dean of enrollment management, equity, and inclusion/chief diversity officer; Denise Carrington, assistant director of the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion; and Kelley.

Following the ceremony guests entered the center in self-guided tours and viewed the Captain Cuffe timeline, various artifacts and books with a highlight being a piece of Wampum art created by Elizabeth James Perry, an award-winning Native artist and Cuffe family descendent.

Born on Cuttyhunk Island in 1759, the son of a freed slave and member of the Wampanoag tribe, Captain Cuffe joined his first whaling voyage at the age of 14. He went on to become a successful mariner, whaling captain, merchant, entrepreneur, and abolitionist, who used his influence to enact change for people of color in the maritime industry.

He also established the first integrated school, located in Westport, Massachusetts, where students of all races were welcomed to learn together. In 1812, Cuffe was one of the first Black men to formally meet with a sitting U.S. president (James Madison) and was likely the wealthiest Black man in America during the course of his life, making his fortunes sailing the Atlantic and New England coastline. The captain fought for change in the voting rights of Black men, and risked imprisonment and enslavement in his efforts toward social justice.

In striving for Inclusive Excellence, the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion seeks to foster a sense of belonging and supportive environment for students of all backgrounds. Efforts include diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and events, international student services, education abroad experiences, bias incident response, The Women's Coalition, advice for first-generation students, and support for LGBTQ+ students.

Photo: Robert Kelly at the Captain Cuffe Inclusion Center

October 11, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Takes High Grades in Several National Rankings

PLACES #1 FOR TOP VALUE NORTH CATEGORY BY US NEWS & WORLD REPORT

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED OCTOBER 11, 2023…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, proudly announces that it has placed high in several national rankings lists for the year 2023.

The Academy took the #1 spot in the Best Value Regional University (North) category, placed #3 in the Top Public Schools (North) category, #11 in the Best Regional Universities (North) and #58 in the Best Undergraduate Engineering (No-Doctorate) categories by the US News & World Report.

For the second consecutive year, The Academy took the #1 spot in the “Best Bang for the Buck” category by Washington Monthly and placed #33 among 604 universities nationwide for its Master’s program.

The Academy has once again made the Forbes America’s Top Colleges list, this year placing #368 out of 500 colleges ranked.

New to the Academy’s list of ranking accolades this year is its 5 Star rating from Money.com, based on dozens of analyzed data points, including graduation rates, cost, and financial aid.

“Taking such high placement in these prestigious ranking lists is true testament to our commitment to providing an outstanding and affordable learning experience that results in great outcomes to students,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Photo: Marnay Acri-Burns, an emergency management major and class of 2025. Marnay is from Stafford, Virginia.

September 29, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Team Invited to Participate in Phase I of the 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 29, 2023…A team of students from Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, competed in the first round of the 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) and have earned a spot in Phase II of the competition.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets represent one of 32 college and university teams nationwide invited to participate in the competition during the first half of the 2023-2024 academic year. Teams will develop preliminary designs for a prototype wind turbine and a hypothetical fixed-bottom offshore wind farm site. In addition, the students will conduct outreach with the wind energy industry.

This first round of teams receives $2,000 in funding, which they can use to begin designing their prototype wind turbines, creating their wind energy project development plans, and developing their outreach strategies.

By early 2024, CWC organizers will narrow the competition to up to 12 teams who will be invited to continue participating in the second half of the school year and present their work at the CWC 2024 final event. Teams not selected will be invited to continue as learn-along teams.
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy team is under the guidance of Gail Stephens, professor of energy systems engineering at the Academy.

Returning from last year’s team are: Cadets 1/c Evangeline Gosselin (dual major: FENV and MSSEP from North Andover, MA), Grayson Duval (ESE from Tolland, MA), Nickolaus Kinsella (ESE from Falmouth, MA), and Mohamed Amine Zanari (ESE from Casablanca, Morroco), Cadets 2/c Matthew Duane (ESE from Braintree, MA), Theodoros Ferentinos (ESE from Dedham, MA), and Mark Marvel (ESE from Taunton, MA), and Cadet 3/c Alexander Hall (ESE from East Bridgewater, MA). The team is hoping to recruit students from all majors at the Academy to join them providing a more diverse approach to the myriad of challenges posed by the competition.

Managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office, the CWC helps college students prepare for jobs in the wind and broader renewable energy workforce through real-world experience.

First launched in 2014, the CWC invites college students from a range of disciplines to represent their schools as they design, build, and test a prototype wind turbine; develop a site plan and cost-of-energy analysis for a wind farm; and conduct outreach with the wind energy industry, their local communities, and local media outlets.

“The entire Academy community is cheering the MMA CWC team on,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Having the opportunity to demonstrate and test their wind turbine during the 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition is a great opportunity and represents many hours of research, design and collaboration.”

September 25, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Hosts Offshore Wind Networking Event

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 25, 2023… The Maritime Center for Responsible Energy (MCRE) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a leader in offshore wind training, recently brought together approximately 200 leaders and members from the offshore wind industry and related fields for a networking and collaboration event.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy was the first in the nation to offer the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)’s Offshore Wind Training. Since 2019, more than 400 successful course participants have gone through the course.

Captain Michael Burns, director of the MCRE, addressed the crowd, acknowledging how far the wind industry has come and continues to grow. This growth in the offshore wind industry has been identified as a significant potential source of renewable energy to meet the needs of communities along America’s coastlines, in addition to the economic prospects it offers to southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands.

Pointing to the growth of the industry are the increasing number of offshore wind-related companies represented at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Spring Career Fair, including Vineyard Wind, Eversource, National Grid, Siemens Energy, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Edison Chouest.

In parallel, the opportunities for students within the industry have increased rapidly, as evidenced by the numerous Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets who have in the past or are currently working co-op or full-time at companies such as Vineyard Wind, Orsted, Guice Offshore, LLC, and Crowley Maritime Corporation.

Co-hosts for the event included HDR, Business Network for Offshore Wind (BNOW), Crowley Maritime Shipping, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Iron Workers, McAllister Towing, Millwrights/NASRCC, Moran Shipping, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) of Rhode Island/Massachusetts, Norton Lilly, RelyOn Nutec, Self-Reliance Corporation, SouthCoast Wind, UBC MW/PD – United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and WISTA USA – New England Chapter.

“It was a pleasure to ‘talk offshore wind’ in an informal atmosphere,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “This burgeoning field will not only provide clean, domestic renewable energy, it also opens the doors for a wide range of employment opportunities.”

Contact MCRE to register or to view the full suite of offshore wind-related training.

Photo: Captain Michael Burns, director of the MCRE, speaking to the audience at the offshore wind industry networking and collaboration event.

September 14, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Cadets Participate in Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management Survey

PROJECT IDENTIFIES INVASIVE ANIMALS AND PLANTS ENCROACHING ON ENVIRONMENT

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 14, 2023… Students majoring in Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection (MSSEP) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, recently participated in a Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) project to monitor invasive marine species.

Since the year 2000, the CZM has helped coordinate teams of scientific experts to conduct periodic assessment of marine species including invasive animals and plants that have been introduced by human activity and hold the potential to harm the environment, public health, and/or the economy.

In early August, five Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets, under the supervision of Dr. Kristin Osborne, assistant professor in the MSSEP Department at the Academy, assisted a team of 30 scientists from throughout the country, traveling along the northeast coast sampling for invasive organisms at numerous marinas, including at Buzzards Bay. Roughly an hour was spent at each site to examine as many surfaces as possible in a search for both native and invasive marine species. Samples collected were then processed on the MMA campus.

According to the CZM, animals, plants, and algae become invasive when they are introduced to an area outside of their native range. This occurs as a result of human activity, such as on ship hulls or accidental releases from fishing and aquaculture. When spread, the new species can crowd out or prey on native species, resulting in a change in coastal ecology and a consequent negative impact on the economy – in particular the fishing industry.

“Our students did a superb job, and our collaborators were thoroughly impressed with them,” said Dr. Osborne, extending thanks to the Academy for hosting a portion of the survey and subsequent collection processing.

“These types of opportunities to participate in a hand-on project makes studies come alive for our students,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, noting the importance of the CZM project.

Photos – Students Aidan Webb (from Falmouth, MA) and Jessica Rotondo (from Sandwich, MA).

September 12, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Receives $1 Million Grant from MassCEC for Offshore Wind Vessel Simulation and Training Center

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 12, 2023… Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a leader in offshore wind training, is the recipient of a $1 million award provided by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). This funding will be used for the expansion, design, development, and implementation of an Offshore Wind Vessel Simulation and Training Center.

“The clean energy industry will bring valuable jobs to residents across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, when announcing the grant recipients on August 29th at Pipefitters Local 537 in Dorchester.

The $1 million funding awarded to Massachusetts Maritime Academy will allow development of the Academy’s Offshore Wind Vessel Simulation and Training Center (OWVSTC), a facility that will serve to create, support, and increase offshore wind development initiatives while delivering workforce training for offshore wind to workers and students with an emphasis on expanding opportunities for underrepresented populations. The project will look to design and install a full-service simulation platform capable of training a range of functions related to offshore wind support vessels from basic tug handling maneuvers for maritime related trainees to advanced seamanship methods for master mariners.

The OWVSTC will provide educational and training programs for the skilled trade and labor unions, K-12 dual enrollment and extended learning programs, undergraduate and continuing education programming, and professional training. It is expected to be operational in 2024.

“Strengthening a dynamic and inclusive clean energy workforce is vitally important to reaching our state’s climate targets. These awards stand at the intersection of the climate crisis, environmental justice, and economic development,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These awards empower our communities and residents to actively join this clean energy transition by creating pathways that offer accessible entry points into valuable careers, ultimately creating a diverse, inclusive and robust workforce.”

“We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for providing the funding to move forward with this important project,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “With 75% of the Academy’s student population from Massachusetts and more than 85% from the New England region, we are focused on offering programs that result in opportunities for career and economic success within our region.”

The Academy is one of more than 40 organizations in receipt of a total of $18 million from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to drive equitable clean energy workforce development. The grants have been awarded to organizations that are focused on lowering barriers faced by underserved and unrepresented populations entering the clean energy workforce, introducing young people to clean energy careers, providing essential training for climate critical fields and supporting minority- and women-owned businesses entering and expanding in the clean energy sector – all in an effort to form the strong, skilled, inclusive workforce that is essential to achieving the Commonwealth’s climate goals in 2030 and 2050.

September 1, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Holds Orientation Graduation

INCOMING CADETS FROM THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND FIVE OTHER COUNTRIES COMPLETE INDOCTRINATION PROGRAM

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 1, 2023…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, recently held its Orientation Graduation for the Class of 2027.

Some 403 cadets, cheered on by family and friends, participated in the traditional ceremony, held on August 30 in the campus’ Clean Harbors Athletic Stadium. Massachusetts residents represent 68% of the incoming class with New England states in total comprising 75%. Students from ten other states throughout the country, including Hawaii, Arkansas, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Kentucky, are members of the Class of 2027, in addition to students from Panama, Guyana, Lithuania, Canada, and Trinidad & Tobago.

The young men and women (84% male and 16% female) who arrived on campus in mid-August have successfully completed the Academy’s indoctrination program and will now begin their journey as cadets. The orientation program is designed to quickly transition students to a regimented lifestyle, build teamwork, camaraderie, self-discipline, and time-management skills while immersing them in a culture of maritime customs and traditions.

The program is led by upper class cadet leaders, known as cadre, who instruct, challenge, and model the skills and behavior necessary for success as a Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadet. The team of 118 cadre supported the incoming cadets during the demanding indoctrination program that includes physical training and hands-on instruction. Cadets gain skills in basic firefighting, watchkeeping, water survival, sailing, and rowing. In addition, they learn the Academy’s history, customs and traditions, honor code, drill and ceremony, discipline program, and regimental manual.

“Orientation Graduation represents an important milestone in a freshman cadet’s Academy experience and is a true celebration,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The entire Academy community welcomes the class of 2027 and look forward to seeing these young men and women grow, learn, and become leaders during the next four years and far beyond.”

Orientation Graduation also provided an opportunity to recognize MMA Provost of Academic Affairs Brigid Pavilonis’ promotion from Vice President to Senior Vice President and Captain to Commodore, with Rear Admiral McDonald offering congratulations on behalf of the entire Academy community.

In addition, the ceremony honored upper class cadets who went over and above the call of duty, unselfishly devoting themselves to top quality training and setting a noteworthy example for the incoming class.

RECIPIENTS OF THIS YEAR’S COMMANDANT’S LEADERSHIP AWARDS:

Cadet Second Class Recipients

From 1^STCOMPANY: Quintin Pease, Marshfield, MA
From 2^NDCOMPANY: Tanner Linhard, Waterbury, CT
From 3^RDCOMPANY: Nicholas Murphy, Rockland, MA
From 4^THCOMPANY: George Laing, Milton, MA
From 5^THCOMPANY: Caleigh Tompkins, Kingston, MA
From 6^THCOMPANY: Liam Howell, Sandwich, MA
From 7^THCOMPANY: Anthony Welch, Lanesborough, MA

The Office of the Commandant’s Unsung Hero Awards:

Stephen Feeney, Rochester, MA
Ally Reddish, Canton, MA
Mariana Gubert, Newtonville, MA
John Aidonidis, Hanover, MA
Nolan Kennedy, Auburn, MA
Scott Heine, Wrentham, MA

The following cadets were recognized as cadet candidates for orientation 2023:

From 1ST COMPANY Anthony Cappello, Braintree, MA
From 2ND COMPANY Sylvia Mattraw-Johnson, Coxackie, NY
From 3RD COMPANY Kyle Stephens, Saint Martinvill, LA
From 4TH COMPANY Jackson Dalmau, Brewster, MA
From 5TH COMPANY Tyler Kelly, Marion, MA
From 6TH COMPANY Kukunaokala Cates, Kailua, HI
From 7TH COMPANY Lorenzo Cicco, Taunton, MA

Highest Scores for both Knowledge and Firefighting Exam:

Igor Visnevskij, Klaipeda, Lithuania

Commander’s Award for Top Physical Fitness:

Sylvia Mattraw-Johnson, Coxackie, NY
Sean Petersen , Plymouth, MA

Company Awards:

Firefighting: 5th Company
Drill/Marching: 6th Company
Esprit de Corp: 5th Company
Commandant’s Award (2nd Place Overall): 5th Company

The Admiral’s Cup was presented to 6th Company, commanded by cadet Michael Nogueira of Kingston, MA.

Videos

ORIENTATION GRADUATION RECESSIONAL (BEGINNING)

ORIENTATION GRADUATION RECESSIONAL (END)

August 7, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Introduces the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED AUGUST 7, 2023…The Office of Intercultural Engagement at Massachusetts Maritime Academy has named its new office the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion, in honor of the master mariner, philanthropist, abolitionist, and education advocate.

Approved by unanimous vote of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Board of Trustees, the Cuffe Center is housed inside of the newly constructed Fantail Student Center and is set to officially open in September of this year.

The Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion has a mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through programs, events, and student support initiatives – and to continue the legacy of its namesake, a man whose life’s work revolved around social justice.

Born on Cuttyhunk Island in 1759, the son of a freed slave and member of the Wampanoag tribe, Capt. Cuffe joined his first whaling voyage at the age of 14. He went on to become a successful mariner, whaling captain, merchant, entrepreneur, and abolitionist, who used his influence to enact change for people of color in the maritime industry.

He also established the first integrated school, located in Westport, Massachusetts, where students of all races were welcomed to learn together. In 1812, Cuffe was one of the first Black men to formally meet with a sitting U.S. president (James Madison) and was likely the wealthiest Black man in America during the course of his life, making his fortunes sailing the Atlantic and New England coastline. The captain fought for change in the voting rights of Black men, and risked imprisonment and enslavement in his efforts toward social justice.

“We are excited not only to honor this individual’s extraordinary life, but also to bring awareness to the importance of representation in the industry,” said Patrick Nobrega, Director of the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion. “There is no expiration date on excellence, and through the new Center we look to ground ourselves in the accomplishments of those who came before – while looking to the future.”

“Captain Paul Cuffe overcame massive adversity to achieve the success he did, all the while advocating for equality and enacting change for the betterment of his community,” said Michael Ortiz, Dean of Enrollment, Equity & Inclusion. “We’re honored to name the Center after him and have him as a beacon of principled leadership for our campus community.”

In striving for Inclusive Excellence, the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion seeks to foster a sense of belonging and supportive environment for students of all backgrounds. Efforts include diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and events, international student services, education abroad experiences, bias incident response, The Women’s Coalition, advice for first-generation students, and support for LGBTQ+ students.

Over the summer, the space will come to life with designs dedicated to telling the story of Captain Cuffe and will be unveiled during a grand opening event in September. The space will also feature an original piece by award-winning Native artist and Cuffe family descendent Elizabeth James Perry.

“The Academy wishes to thank Cuffe family descendants Robert Kelley and Elizabeth James Perry, as well as Carl Cruz of the New Bedford Historical Society, for their support in the naming of the Center,” said Ortiz. “We’d also like to thank Dr. Bruce Rose and the entire New Bedford Whaling Museum staff, including Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, former curator of the Paul Cuffe Exhibit.”

“By honoring the namesake of our new center, we continue Captain Cuffe’s legacy of philanthropy, social change, and positive impact within the Academy’s community,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The center stands as both a tribute to and acknowledgement of the many strides this remarkable individual made in his life-long pursuit of social justice.”

To learn more about Captain Paul Cuffe’s life and accomplishments, please visit www.paulcuffe.org or the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s exhibit.

August 1, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s SSV Ernestina-Morrissey to Take Part in Gloucester Schooner Festival

MARITIME GLOUCESTER’S 39^TH ANNUAL EVENT TAKES PLACE THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

BUZZARDS BAY, GLOUCESTER, MA, ISSUED AUGUST 1, 2023… Massachusetts Maritime Academy is proud to announce that the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey will take part in Maritime Gloucester’s 39^th annual Gloucester Schooner Festival.

The festival takes place from Thursday, August 31, and concludes Sunday, September 3, with the schooner race. The Gloucester Schooner Festival has become a community-wide celebration of the age of sail in Gloucester Harbor. Every year schooners from all over travel to Gloucester to race and to show off their beauty and grace both under sail and as a dock-side attraction.

The SSV Ernestina-Morrissey will be open for deck tours on Saturday, September 2, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during Maritime Heritage Day. She will also be participating on Sunday in the Mayor’s Cup Race.

The SSV Ernestina-Morrissey was built in 1894 at the James and Tarr Shipyard for the Gloucester fishing fleet. Originally a fishing vessel, over the course of her long history she sailed to within 600 miles of the North Pole and later brought immigrants to the U.S. Returned to the U.S. in 1982 as a gift from the newly independent Cape Verde, she sailed as an educational vessel until 2005. Sitting dormant for many years, after a seven-year refurbishment in Maine under the care of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, she has returned to the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy will focus the efforts of the Schooner SSV Ernestina-Morrissey on undergraduate sail-training and leadership training for cadets, K-12 STEM programming, community outreach and awareness within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond. These three pillars will look to ensure the legacy of SSV Ernestina-Morrissey as an educational asset for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The SSV Ernestina-Morrissey homeport is New Bedford, MA; however, she is part of the permanent fleet of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The National Landmark is operated by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

For more information please visit the Gloucester Schooner Festival website at https://www.maritimegloucester.org/schooner-festival.

July 5, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Holds Commencement and Commissioning Exercises

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JULY 5, 2023…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, held its 180^th Commencement Exercises on June 17^th, conferring some 350 undergraduate and 50 graduate degrees, paving the way for the men and women to begin their careers in the worldwide maritime industry.

Marty Walsh, the former United States Secretary of Labor and present Executive Director of the National Hockey Players’ Association, provided the keynote speech during the exercises, extolling graduates for remaining focused during the past four years during the height of the pandemic.

“Some of you lost loved ones, some of you had mental health struggles – I’ve been there, and many others have as well,” said Walsh. “But whatever you faced, and despite all these challenges, you kept going, you persevered, you proved yourselves worthy. You earned this degree in ways no one has done before in the history of our nation. You did it and no one can ever take it away from you.”

Walsh and Capt. Kenneth Turner, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, received honorary degrees during the commencement exercises.

Walsh served as Mayor of Boston from 2014 to 2021 and as United States Secretary of Labor under the Biden/Harris administration from 2021 to March of 2023, resigning his position as Secretary of Labor to accept his present post as Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Turner, a retired U.S. Navy Captain and submarine nuclear weapons system officer with 26 years of service, is at the helm of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) in Waltham, Massachusetts. Prior to joining the MLSC, Turner served as Director of Diversity & Inclusion/Compliance with MassPort.

A number of members of the graduating class of 2023 were commissioned prior to the June 17^th Commencement Exercises. Fourteen graduating cadets accepted commissions into the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy Reserve during a June 15^th ceremony held on the USS Constitution, with United States Army and Massachusetts and Vermont Army National Guard commissions taking place on June 16^th.

“Commencement and the acceptance of commissions are extraordinarily momentous occasions in an Academy cadet’s life,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “As we extend our congratulations and farewells to the outstanding class of 2023, we stand confident that the education and experiences these fine graduates received at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy will serve them well in their careers and lives in general. We expect great things from our cadets – and we are never disappointed.”

PHOTO 1: Marty Walsh former United States Secretary of Labor and present Executive Director of the National Hockey Players’ Association addresses graduates during the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s 180^th Commencement Exercises

PHOTO 2: Cadets cast their covers in the air following Commencement Exercises

June 30, 2023: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Welcomes SSV Ernestina-Morrissey Home

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JUNE 30, 2023…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning officially welcomed the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey home during a June 15th event.

Former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, current Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, and Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega attended the special occasion along with Academy staff, cadets, alumni, and many members of local communities.

The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey was built in 1894 at the James and Tarr Shipyard for the Gloucester fishing fleet. In addition to being a fishing vessel, over the course of her long history she sailed to within 600 miles of the North Pole, and later brought immigrants to the U.S. Returning to the US in 1982 as a gift from the newly independent Cape Verdean people, she sailed as an educational vessel until 2005. Over the past seven years, the two-masted tall ship has been refurbished by Bristol Marine in Maine and is now ready to undertake her newest commission as a sailing school vessel for cadets at the Academy.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy now focuses the efforts of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey on undergraduate sail-training and leadership for cadets, K-12 STEM programming, and community outreach along with awareness within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond. These three pillars will look to ensure the legacy of Ernestina-Morrissey as an educational asset for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“The return of the Ernestina-Morrissey to our campus marks a new chapter for this celebrated vessel,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Her future now lies in training young mariners – a true testament to her gloried past.”