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 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 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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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!”

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. 

PHOTO: 

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.”

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. 

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.

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.”

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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.

 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.”

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.”

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. 

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

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.”

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. 

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.

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. 

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.
 

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. 

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.”

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. 

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.

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. 

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.”

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. 

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.”

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. 

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.”

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. 

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)

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.
 

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. 

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.”

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. 

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.

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. 

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

 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.”

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. 

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.

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. 

Photo: Robert Kelly at the Captain Cuffe Inclusion Center

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.

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. 

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

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.”

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. 

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.

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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^ST COMPANY: Quintin Pease, Marshfield, MA
• From 2^ND COMPANY: Tanner Linhard, Waterbury, CT
• From 3^RD COMPANY: Nicholas Murphy, Rockland, MA
• From 4^TH COMPANY: George Laing, Milton, MA
• From 5^TH COMPANY: Caleigh Tompkins, Kingston, MA
• From 6^TH COMPANY: Liam Howell, Sandwich, MA
• From 7^TH COMPANY: 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.

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ORIENTATION GRADUATION RECESSIONAL (BEGINNING)

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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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.”

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. 

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

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.”
 

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. 

 Photo 1: (left to right) SSV Ernestina-Morrissey Capt. Tiffany Krihwan, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.

PHOTO 2: The SSV Ernestina-Morrissey was officially welcomed home to Massachusetts Maritime Academy during a special June 15th event.

DOWNLOAD MEETING FLYER

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Massachusetts Maritime Academy will be receiving a new training ship to be moored at the Campus at Taylor Point in Buzzards Bay (Bourne), Massachusetts. The new ship is slightly wider and higher than the USTS Kennedy, and requires a stronger dock. The project involves dock improvements to accommodate the new training ship, and dredging to provide safe navigation for tugs maneuvering the training ship during docking and undocking. Public input is welcomed through attendance at a Public Information Meeting and/or reaching out directly to our project team.

PATRIOT STATE II DOCK UPGRADE AND DREDGING PROJECT PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Date: July 10, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Admirals Hall, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay (Bourne), MA 02532

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

Gei Consultants, Inc.
Russell Titmuss, P.E.
Rtitmuss@Geiconsultants.com
774-277-6003

Lec Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Mark Manganello
mmanganello@lecenvironmental.com
508-746-9491
 

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. 

COURSE TO CONTRIBUTE TO ISLAND JOB CREATION IN EMERGING OFFSHORE WIND POWER INDUSTRY

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JUNE 15, 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 now offering its Global Wind Organization Basic Technical Training (GWO BTT) course to community members thereby opening the door to those on Martha’s Vineyard interested in a potential career in the offshore wind industry.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is one of the first institutions in the Northeast to offer this type of training. The goal is to help broaden the landscape of local job opportunities in the fast-emerging offshore wind power field – an industry with tremendous potential for high-paying job growth and subsequent area economic impact. Training provided by the GWO BTT course will go a long way towards creating a talent pool of technicians with the skill and know-how to perform a variety of wind power and related jobs.

The Global Wind Organisation Basic Technical Training Standard consists of four modules and an additional installation module which can be taken after certification in the mechanical module.  The course is designed to provide a basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, bolt-tightening, and installation principles and systems as they apply to wind turbine operation. Upon completion, participants will possess an awareness of how to identify and mitigate the hazards encountered when working on hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical systems, and how to control and mitigate these hazards, preparing candidates for working both on- and off-shore in the wind power industry.

The Basic Technical Training modules are targeted at candidates who have no previous experience of hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical systems but may also be used to up skill candidates who have some knowledge but not of their application in wind turbines.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is delivering this course in partnership with RelyOn Nutec, one of the largest providers of GWO training in the world.  The equipment and training necessary to offer this course to local workforce members is provided through a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

"Training provided by the GWO BTT course will go a long way towards creating a talent pool of technicians with the skill and know-how to perform a variety of wind power and related jobs, including the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of wind turbines,” said Captain Michael R. Burns Jr., executive director, Maritime Center for Responsible Energy at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The Academy is also partnering with Martha’s Vineyard Center for Education and Training (MVCET), which has a goal of connecting Vineyard residents with the education and training objectives needed to competitively enter the burgeoning offshore wind workforce in Massachusetts.  Given that the island is geographically isolated, MVCET is working to provide students with professional development opportunities, enrollment and financial aid support, group learning experiences, and resume and interview preparation skills.

“We are honored to partner with Massachusetts Maritime Academy to make this essential GWO training possible for Vineyard residents,” said Courtney Daly, director of programming for MVCET.  “Our goal is to ensure a 100% local workforce in offshore wind, which will serve as an important piece of economic development for our Island community, while also working towards the Commonwealth’s clean energy objectives.”

“We are delighted to offer this exciting course to members of the community,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “As offshore wind power continues to develop as a leader in the renewable energy sector, our GWO BTT course will provide the knowledge and skills required for a career in this emerging industry.”

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 26, 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 conducted its annual regimental Change of Command Ceremony in conjunction with the celebration of National Maritime Day on Wednesday, May 24^th.

The Change of Command Ceremony is both the symbolic and physical transfer of leadership responsibilities from the graduating senior class to members of the junior class. During the ceremony, held at the Clean Harbors Athletic Stadium on the Academy’s campus, the outgoing Regiment of Cadets Commander 1/C Abigail Pope of Falmouth, MA, passed her responsibilities to 2/C Cole Francavilla of Stoneham, MA as the incoming Regimental Commander for the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition, the Regimental Executive Officer post was transitioned from 1/C Paige Albertson of Nantucket, MA to 2/C Kobe Copeland of Virginia Beach, VA.

The Class of 2024 leaders includes an array of cadets who hail mainly from Massachusetts in addition to other locales. The 2024 roster of 39 leaders includes 28 Bay State representatives, with the balance from the states of Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia and the countries of Morocco and Niger.

Coinciding with the ceremony, the Academy also shared the results from the annual United States Coast Guard Exams that took place earlier in May. Comparable to the Bar exam for law students or the CPA exam for accountants, the Coast Guard exams are the last step in the Academy’s education and training process that help cadets achieve professional positions in the maritime industry. Academy Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering majors take the U. S. Coast Guard License Examinations during their final semester of study. With a 71% Marine Transportation (MTRA) and 81% Marine Engineering (MENG) pass rate, Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets are well suited to enter the United States shipping industries post-graduation.

“The Change of Command ceremony is one of our most cherished traditions,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “It is a special time to recognize our cadets who have achieved leadership roles at the Academy and who will be future leaders in the maritime industries.”

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 24, 2023… A team of students from 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, were invited to test their prototype wind turbine during the Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) May 15-19 at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 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. By participating in the competition, schools and students connect with wind energy experts and industry contacts, enhancing schools’ curriculum offerings and strengthening students’ professional networks. 

Maritime “CWC23” team members, under the guidance of Gail Stephens, associate professor in the Engineering Department and faculty advisor to the CWC23 team, tested its prototype wind turbine as a "learn along" team during the mid-May competition at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

“Our remarkable team has worked tirelessly to produce a working prototype and in the process has acquired incredible experience in designing and manufacturing a multi-faceted product to deliver renewable energy,” said Stephens.  “They are all excited about opportunities to bring this knowledge back to the classroom and eventually to the ever-growing, ever-developing renewable energy industry.”

The following Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets who comprise the Massachusetts Maritime Academy CWC23 team are:  senior Adam Veloso (team lead/connection creation; Dartmouth); juniors Grayson Duval (3D modeling/prototyping/coding; Tolland), Evangeline Gosselin (design team lead/connection creation; North Andover), Nickolaus Kinsella (nacelle; Falmouth), Mohamed Zanari (nacelle; Casablanca, Morocco), and Theodoros Ferentinos (design/research aerodynamics; Dedham); sophomores Mark Marvel (design/research aerodynamics; Taunton) and Matthew Duane (foundation design lead; Braintree); and freshman Alexander Hall (foundation design; East Bridgewater).

The team completed a safety test on Monday, May 15, to ensure the prototype met the safety requirements with respect to all electrical and mechanical components.  On Tuesday the team participated in the KidWind Program, assisting school children from K-12 in a smaller version of the Collegiate Wind Competition. Throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, the team observed other colleges as they tested their prototypes in the wind tunnels and made oral presentations to panels of judges.  On Thursday, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy CWC23 team had two opportunities to test their prototype design in the wind tunnels and obtained feedback from the judges.

“The Academy is thrilled that CWC23 was invited to the 2023 Collegiate Wind Competition, and look forward to having the participating cadets share their experiences so we can all learn from this involvement,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The CWC presents an outstanding forum for students to showcase their design and technical skills in a collaborative hands-on nature.”

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 22, 2023…Media representatives and the public are invited to join Massachusetts Maritime Academy for the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey homecoming event, Thursday, June 15 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay.

The vessel will have arrived prior to the event and will be docked at the Academy’s pier.

The event is free and open to the media and public. To secure a spot as the Academy officially welcomes the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey home register at https://givebutter.com/Ernestina-Morrissey-at-MMA. Registration will close on June 9 or once capacity is reached.

The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey was built in 1894 at the James and Tarr Shipyard for the Gloucester fishing fleet. As well as 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.  Returned 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 several months, the two-masted tall ship has been refurbished and is now ready to undertake her newest commission as a sailing school vessel for students at the Academy.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy now focuses the efforts of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey on undergraduate sail-training and leadership training for cadets, K-12 STEM programming, and community outreach and 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.

Location:

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
101 Academy Drive
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Thursday, June 15, 2023
3:30 – 6:00 p.m. with welcoming remarks at 4:00

For additional information, please contact Nicole Hales at nhales@prfirst.com or 617-947-7983.

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. 

CADET ETHAN REGO INTERVIEWED IN STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ARTICLE

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 12, 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 proud to announce that its International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Student Chapter was featured in the March 2023 edition of the IAEM Bulletin.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy IAEM Student Chapter was created with the intent of providing the emergency management undergraduate students at the Academy with opportunities for networking and enhancement in their emergency management careers. 

Ethan Rego, a junior at the Academy and president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy IAEM Student Chapter, was interviewed in the Student Spotlight question-and-answer format article in which he addressed the value of membership in the student chapter, and his goals for it.  Rego is studying Emergency Management and Homeland Security and is presently on exchange at the University College of Copenhagen in Denmark.

The article also shined a light on those who are instrumental to the success of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy IAEM Student Chapter, including former chapter president Anna Kane, who, according to Rego “is the reason our student chapter was able to recover when returning to in-person after the initial COVID-19 pandemic response” and faculty advisor Dr. Mike Gutierrez, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Management at the Academy.

“Having a Spotlight feature in the IAEM Bulletin is an honor – for Massachusetts Maritime Academy in general and Ethan in particular,” said Dr. Gutierrez. “Ethan’s professionalism and dedication reflect great credit upon himself, the EM program, andMassachusetts Maritime Academy as a whole!”

“The benefits and privileges of being a member of the Academy’s IAEM Student Chapter are many, and Ethan did a remarkable job of highlighting several, including the opportunity to attend the IAEM Annual Conference and to have access to the largest network of top emergency management experts who can offer solutions, guidance, and assistance,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 10, 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 has confirmed that Marty Walsh, the former United States Secretary of Labor and present Executive Director of the National Hockey Players’ Association, and Kenneth Turner, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, as speakers during the June 17^th 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. He resigned his position as Secretary of Labor on March 11^th to accept a 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.

Some 350 undergraduate and 50 graduate degrees will be conferred during the commencement exercises, paving the way for the men and women to begin their careers in the worldwide maritime industry.

“It is with great excitement that we announce these distinguished gentlemen as speakers for our June 17^th commencement exercises,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Both Marty Walsh and Kenn Turner have devoted their lives to service; the entire Academy community looks forward to their messages of guidance and encouragement as we celebrate the Class of 2023.”

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 4, 2023…Media representatives are invited to join Massachusetts Maritime Academy at their Spring 2023 Concert – A Night Exploring Music from the Movies, on Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. in the Admirals’ Hall on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay.

The event is free and open to the public.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy‘s Regimental Band, Honor Guard and Drill Team (Seventh Company) is a highly involved group on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus and in the surrounding community. The Seventh Company averages 50 engagements a year throughout the country, in addition to on campus formations and ceremonies. 

Seventh Company personnel are passionate volunteers and take pride in representing themselves, the regiment of cadets and the academy in a professional and honorable manner. Seventh Company is built on an axiom of service to academy, community and country whenever called upon. 

Location:
Admirals’ Hall
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
101 Academy Drive
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
Thursday, May 4, 2023                           
7 p.m.

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MAY 2, 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, honored Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., CEO and Chairman of the Crowley Corporation, as Person of the Year during an April 27^th event held at the newly constructed Maritime Conference Center on the Academy’s campus.

The Academy has an established tradition of honoring a civilian or military leader with a distinguished career of excellence, innovation, and service to the maritime industries and other related industries with the Emery Rice Medal, named for an 1897 Academy graduate and WWI hero. Captain Rice was twice recognized by President Theodore Roosevelt for his maritime skill and bravery.

Crowley has been at the helm of the privately-held, U.S.-owned and operated logistics, marine and energy solutions company since 1994, succeeding his father and grandfather in such roles dating back to the company’s founding in 1892. Under his leadership, the corporation has evolved to be a global leader focused on continuously innovating to create logistics, maritime and energy solutions for the commercial and government sectors. Crowley has sparked an evolution of the organization to become a forward-thinking brand with a culture focused on creating new businesses in emerging markets, such as offshore wind, advanced energy and alternative fuels, and initiated an ongoing transformation to be the most sustainable and innovative maritime and logistics company in the Americas.

His stewardship within the industry has led to many accolades including the United Seaman’s Service with the prestigious Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award. Crowley also serves on the Board of Directors of the World Shipping Council, the Florida Council of 100, and as an advisory board member at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, where he earned a business finance degree.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized as Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Person of the Year,” said Tom Crowley. “Crowley and Massachusetts Maritime Academy have a long, strong partnership of building a consistent pool of qualified mariners and cultivating leaders of the U.S. maritime industry. We are grateful to be able to provide cadets scholarships to help build a life-long career as a merchant mariner and we, as Crowley, are here to support them with training aboard our vessels, cadet billets and internships.  I look forward to continuing our work together forging a strong, innovative and skilled workforce that drives the future of maritime.”

Past honorees of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Person of the Year have included admirals, captains, CEOs, and leading maritime executives from around the globe.

“The Emery Rice Medal has been presented to a select group of maritime professionals who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the very principles taught at the Academy – leadership, ethics, business sense, and respect for the ocean environment,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “There is no question that Tom Crowley Jr. embodies those qualities; we are proud to honor him as our Person of the Year.”

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. 

290 Organizations and Nearly 800 Recruiters from Trades Including Offshore Wind, Biotechnology, Emergency Services and the Maritime Industry Attend

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 13, 2023…In response to a lengthy list of organizations eager to attend, 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 held an unprecedented two-day Spring Career Fair attended by undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni.

Some 290 organizations represented by an estimated 800 recruiters were present at the March 29^th and 30^th career fairs where students had the opportunity to discover career paths and opportunities, learn about potential future employers, and receive a closer look at the many different industries available as an alumni of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Attending organizations represented a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, offshore wind, renewable energy, health care, maritime industry, robotics, and emergency services. Also present were representatives from a number of unions, graduate schools, and the U.S. Armed Forces.

The event correspondingly allowed employers an avenue to learn about the Academy’s academic programs and to discover the skills and talents of the student body.

The following organizations sponsored the two-day career fair: Insignia Gold Sponsor, The Catalyst Commissioning Group; Maritime Blue Sponsor, Vineyard Wind; Pacific Sponsor, Clean Harbors; Atlantic Sponsor, PSEG Nuclear LLC; and Formation Gray Sponsor, Wide Effect Talent Solutions.

“Our career fairs – held in the spring and fall – provide unique opportunities for students to network with a large number of company recruiters who are on a mission to meet prospective new employees and while allowing recruiters to discover the wide-ranging skill sets of our graduates,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 10, 2023…Dr. Noe Ortega, the Commonwealth’s new Higher Education Commissioner, recently visited 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, where he spent time with cadets, toured the campus, and met with senior staff and the Board of Trustees.

Prior to his appointment as Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner in August of 2022, Dr. Ortega served as Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Previously, he spent eight years at the University of Michigan where he held several academic and administrative posts, including Assistant Director and Senior Research Associate at the National Center for Institutional Diversity, and as the Managing Director for the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good.

During his recent tour of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus, Commissioner Ortega visited the Mӕrsk Mc-Kinney Møller Ship’s Bridge Simulation Center where several cadets demonstrated the technology; the  Clean Harbors Emergency Operations Training Center; and the Academy’s Engineering Labs.

“It was an honor to welcome Commissioner Ortega to our campus and introduce him to our staff, students, and the many innovative programs we offer in our mission to provide the highest quality of education and opportunities to our cadets,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 5, 2023… It was an adventure of a lifetime for nine cadets from 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, when they traveled to Hawaii for the Academy’s first geological oceanography field trip.

The two-week course, which ran from January 3-17, was created by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Marine Science, Safety and Environmental Protection (MSSEP) Department and provided upper-level undergraduate students the opportunity to witness an active volcanic eruption, explore natural resources and geohazards associated with volcanic landforms, sediment and rock, as well as observe coastal processes on the shoreline and marine life beneath the ocean waves.

“The field trip facilitated experiential learning of active hot spot lava eruptions, volcanic landforms, tropical marine life, beach sedimentation and erosion, geohazards and safety, environmental protection of marine and island resources, and Hawaiian culture,” said MSSEP student Shannen Allen, who participated in the “Hawaiian Experience” along with classmates Adam Veloso, Thomas Mulvehill, Evie Gosselin, Miranda Courteau, Blythe Stephenson, Kaila Collins, Ryan Almeida, and Thomas Roy, and accompanied by field course instructor Dr. Kevin Hefferan, associate professor, Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection Department.

“An outstanding group of MSSEP students experienced Kilauea's transformation from a quiescent steam vent phase to an active, fiery, lava lake fountain eruption in real time,” said Dr. Hefferan. “These extraordinary field course experiences vividly create lifelong marine geology memories and highlight an excellent MMA education."

The next geological oceanography field trip to Hawaii will occur in late April 2024.

“This new and exciting course offers an outstanding learning experience with the added bonus of taking place in beautiful Hawaii,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “The cadets who participated in our first geological oceanography field trip returned with great knowledge and memories to last a lifetime.”

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. 

Photo, back row, left to right:  Massachusetts Maritime Academy students Ryan Almeida, Blythe Stephenson, Shannen Allen, Thomas Mulvehill, Adam Veloso, Thomas Roy; front row, left to right:  Evangeline Gosselin, Miranda Courteau, Kaila Collins

BUZZARDS BAY, BOURNE, WAREHAM, MA, ISSUED MARCH 22, 2023…Cadets participating in the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (www.maritime.edu) Cadet Fire Program in partnership with the Onset Fire District assisted in extinguishing three recent house fires in Buzzards Bay and Wareham – all within a 24-hour period when temperatures dipped to record lows.

Three Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets were on scene at a February 4^th fire on Bakers Lane in Bourne that required the assistance of the Onset Fire District.  Later that day, the Wareham Fire Department, assisted by several Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets, responded to a house fire on Knowles Avenue and in the early hours of February 5^th the cadets were back on response duty, working alongside members of the Wareham Fire Department to extinguish a structure fire.

In addition to the house fires, cadets responded to multiple medical runs, fire alarm activations, and water leaks over the same 24-hour time span when temperatures plummeted to below zero, according to James MacDermott, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Emergency Management Operations Officer, noting that cadets within the program are trained to respond to emergencies including motor vehicle accidents, fires, medicals, gas leaks, and other unique situations.

“The cadets enrolled in the Fire Program are dedicated to performing vital and often life-saving measures, working shifts whether school is in session or not,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Their contribution to the safety and well-being of local residents has and continues to be of great significance. The entire Massachusetts Maritime Academy community is proud of these committed cadets and of the program that makes their role in public safety possible.”

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. 

EMPOWERED 5 COUNCIL KICKS OFF EVENT

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED MARCH 20, 2023…Nearly 100 alumni, students, and staff attended the recent Massachusetts Maritime Academy Women’s Network Event at 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.  The March 9 event was held at the Academy’s new Maritime Conference Center on the Buzzards Bay campus.

What has become a highly anticipated annual event was initially launched in 2015 as a small homecoming reception to celebrate 35 years of women on campus. This first gathering was met with great enthusiasm, prompting an answered call to make it a yearly assembly. The event broadly focuses on the Academy's female alumni and students who are either already immersed in careers in STEM industries or planning them.

The event opened with Second Class Cadet Olivia Camelo and First Class Cadet Katie Gillis sharing information about the Empowered 5 Council, which was started just last year and named after the first five females who graduated from the Academy in 1981.  The council was created to provide networking opportunities as well as a mentorship program for all females on campus, which they plan to extend to alumni.  Camelo serves as the council’s president, and Gillis is vice president.

Additionally, the event featured speakers including Mikayla Correia ’18, M’20, assistant director of athletics; Kelly DeMello ’99, M’11, assistant director of career services; Patrick Nobrega, director of intercultural engagement; and Regimental Commander Abigail Pope, ’23.  Closing remarks were made by Captain Brigid Pavolonis, provost.

“This popular event not only connects and celebrates our female graduates, it also provides a unique opportunity for our students to network with and learn from women in all of the industries we serve – and perhaps meet prospective employers,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, WELLFLEET, MA, ISSUED MARCH 16, 2023…A team of cadets from an Emergency Management Planning course offered by 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, were recently tasked with the responsibility of fully developing a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) for the Town of Wellfleet.

The cadets are members of Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Emergency Management Planning program. During their internship with Wellfleet, they were responsible for fully developing the town’s CEMP, a document

that guides county behavior before, during, and after a disaster and defines who does what, when, where, and how in order to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of natural, technological, and human-caused hazards.

Upon its completion, the cadets presented the document to the Wellfleet Board of Selectmen, following which the CEMP received board approval.

Michael P. Hurley, Chief of Police with the Wellfleet Police Department, exclaimed “We did it!” upon receiving the approved and signed copy of the town’s CEMP plan and extended his thanks to the MMA cadets and their advisor responsible for the many hours of work that went into the final product.

“External programs have become the backbone of the Emergency Management major and provide students with real hands-on experience,” said Thomas F. Lennon, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Professor and Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department Chair. “Over the last half-dozen years scores of communities and other support agencies have partnered with our program to complete their CEMP and other state and federal requirements.”

“The cadets responsible for researching and drafting this highly valuable CEMP had the opportunity to experience how local policy is developed, codified, and implemented,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Classroom opportunities such as this underscore the work that our faculty and students are doing to support the resiliency of communities throughout the state.”

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED FEBRUARY 23, 2023…In an effort to enhance communication, increase individual program representation, and disburse responsibilities, 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 in the process of restructuring its former Engineering Department with the formation of the School of Engineering.

To be headed by an Associate Dean, the School of Engineering will be composed of the Departments of Marine Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Energy Systems Engineering. Each department will have a Department Chair reporting directly to the new Associate Dean of Engineering, who in turn will report to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

By creating the three distinct departments, the expectation is to improve program delivery and allow the future growth of the Academy’s engineering programs.  Presently, the Engineering Department stands as the largest department at the Academy and includes 25 full-time faculty members covering a diversity of engineering sub-specialties. As such, the current Department Chair is tasked with a considerable workload, managing a large number of faculty, students, and courses with differing needs.

“This reorganization will provide greater opportunity for individual programs to advocate for their specific needs and develop the curriculum and faculty to best suit the academic and professional requisites of their students, while also supporting future growth and development,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, noting that “with three clearly defined departments housed under the umbrella of the School of Engineering, we will continue to be a leader in the field.”

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. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JANUARY 27, 2023…Captain R. Michael Burns Jr., executive director of the Maritime Center for Responsible Energy at 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, was a featured speaker during the January 19-20 annual OSW O& M/Health & Safety Summit held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The two-day summit, hosted by The Business Network for Offshore Wind, focused on how the offshore wind industry can ensure that safety remains a high-level priority as the industry develops and grows.

Captain Burns, one of several speakers at the summit, contributed to the discussion that focused on “Strengthening Local Communities: Workforce Development Needs in O & M” (Operations and Maintenance), which highlighted how public officials, developers, supply chain companies, and unions can prepare their communities for the opportunities offshore wind brings.  He was joined by Dr. Tamika Jacques, director of workforce development and supply chain at Avangrid, and Lori LeBlanc, principal consultant at ERM/Southeast LA Economic Council.  Ben Etherton, strategic advisor for Arcon Training Center, moderated the discussion.

Additionally, Mauricio Guzman, business development manager – renewables for RelyOn Nutec, the Academy’s partner for offshore wind, was one of several market entrepreneurs who talked about how to meet the challenges associated with quickly training tens of thousands of new workers.

The summit also featured several Academy alumni, including Will Kenyon (2007), head of QHSE, Development, and EPC – Americas for Ørsted, who spoke on “The Need for Transparency:  Data-Sharing to Improve Health and Safety”; and Dustin Varnell (2003, MS2018), U.S. country manager for Osbit, and Julie Shebroe (2012), account manager and business development, Northstar Marine, Inc., who both spoke about “Safety on the Sea:  A Look at Vessel Operational Safety in Construction and O&M.”

“It was a privilege to have the opportunity to speak at this important summit and be among so many leaders in the growing offshore wind industry,” said Captain Burns, noting that the operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms is poised to be a significant economic driver for many coastal communities.

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, 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 students for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest 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. 

Photo:  Captain Michael Burns (second from left) with other panelists at the New Orleans Offshore Wind Summit.

WAREHAM, NEW BEDFORD, MA, ISSUED DECEMBER 19, 2022…Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the City of New Bedford, in conjunction with the prime minister of Cabo Verde, Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Consul General of Canada to Boston Rodger Cuzner, and many other state and local government officials, recently welcomed the return of the Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Ernestina-Morrissey with a celebration held on Saturday, December 17, at 49 State Pier in New Bedford.  The vessel was also open for public tours over the weekend.

The Schooner Effie Morrissey was launched in 1894 and for the next 20 or so years carried Gloucester fishermen to the Grand Banks, Labrador, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Following that, she served as an arctic exploration ship and then as a supply and survey ship for the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1948, Captain Henry Mendes purchased the ship and brought her back to life after a catastrophic fire. Renaming her the Ernestina, he then began sailing her as a transatlantic packet, carrying goods and passengers between the Cape Verde islands and the United States through 1965. For years thereafter, she was an important means of inter-island transportation and communication in Cape Verde. After five years of dedicated fundraising and restoration work, in 1982 the Ernestina was given to the people of the United States by the people of Cape Verde in recognition of the longstanding ties between the two countries.

Legislation passed in 2019 returned the Sailing School Vessel Ernestina-Morrisey to her home port of New Bedford, under the care of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. For years to come, she will serve the Commonwealth – and her citizens of Cape Verdean descent – as an educational asset, teaching upcoming generations about the majesty of the oceans, the history of sail navigation, the strength of the Cape Verdean people, and the ties that bind them all together.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy will focus the efforts of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey on undergraduate sail-training and leadership training for cadets, K-12 STEM programming, and community outreach and 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.

“There has been amazing excitement on our campus and throughout our region thinking about the return of the Ernestina-Morrissey,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  “She has had such a storied past, and to think now about her future of training young mariners in front of her is very powerful.”

Added New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, “Grand Banks fishing vessel, Arctic explorer, packet ship, passenger liner for Cape Verdean immigrants – the Ernestina-Morrissey has left its mark across a broad sweep of American history.  Thanks to the commitment of the Commonwealth, the City, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, SEMA, and inspired philanthropists, it will live on to tell its story right here in its homeport of New Bedford.”  

The Honorable Michael Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts, was unable to attend the festivities, but shared his thoughts on his role with the schooner.  “It was my great privilege as Governor in 1977 to sign the legislation authored by the late state representative Tom Lopes creating the Schooner Ernestina Commission and to appoint Julius Britto as its first Chairman. This allowed the Commonwealth to accept this magnificent gift from the people of Cape Verde. Later in 1983 after she arrived in Massachusetts, I worked with the legislature to provide funding to allow Captain Dan Moreland and his crew to complete the restoration and begin her educational programing, setting a standard that continues to this day. This is a proud day for all those who have labored so long for this great schooner."

“Recognizing the importance of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey and its impact on the Commonwealth’s maritime history, our Administration invested $5 million to restore and ready the vessel to sail at sea once again,” added Governor Charlie Baker. “After 40 years of stewardship, we are proud to help bring the Ernestina-Morrisey home, where she will be utilized as an educational vessel for decades to come.”

“The collective efforts and collaboration between our Administration, state legislators, the Schooner Ernestina Commission, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy serve as a tremendous example of the dedicated, strong partnerships to ensure the Official Vessel of the Commonwealth returns to navigating the open seas,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By contributing to the assessment, design, and construction of the Ernestina-Morrissey, we are giving Massachusetts residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about this historic ship.”

The Ernestina-Morrissey also has an important history with the Republic of Cabo Verde.  Said Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva, Republic of Cabo Verde, "The Ernestina-Morrissey is a proud symbol of the unique and enduring connection between the peoples of Cabo Verde and Massachusetts.  Our stories are so richly intertwined, and the wonderful restoration of this vessel – by so many who cared so deeply and gave so generously – boldly affirms the great promise of our shared future. On behalf of Caboverdeans everywhere, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all that made today possible."

“The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey is a treasured gift from the people of Cape Verde that reflects the strong, enduring bond between our nations,” added State Senator Mark Montigny (D-2^nd Bristol and Plymouth), who has long-supported capital and operating needs for the Ernestina-Morrissey and successfully led legislation to secure her restoration.  “It is almost hard to believe that after decades of securing millions of state dollars in earmarks and legislation, she is finally back home in New Bedford, fully restored and ready to navigate the open seas.  Our law forever protects this historic vessel and her Cape Verdean heritage, and New Bedford is proudly displayed on her stern.  Today is a special day for our community and the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the day when the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey can set sail for beautiful Cape Verde.” 

State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, echoed these sentiments.  “As the official vessel of the Commonwealth, the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey means a great deal to so many people, and today marks the culmination and a celebration of a long journey to preserve, protect and return this historic vessel to the port of New Bedford, while honoring our state’s strong ties with the people of Cape Verde and our Cape Verdean community here in the South Coast.  Thanks to the hard work and advocacy of Senator Montigny, Representative Cabral and others, we were successful in securing state funding and passing a law to protect this National Historic Landmark, ensuring that the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey would proudly sail again as a fully restored vessel and serve as an educational asset for our communities and the Commonwealth for many, many years to come.”

State Senator Susan L. Moran (D-Plymouth & Barnstable) shared her thoughts on the schooner’s arrival in New Bedford.  “I cannot think of a more perfectly suited place for the Ernestina-Morrissey to dock and call home,” she said.  “Not only will it be wonderful to have this historic vessel available to the public, but it is touching that the legacy of this ship will live on to educate and train the next generation of sailors.”

“I am very proud to welcome home the historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey,” shared Sate Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral (D-13^th Bristol).  “The Ernestina-Morrissey is a living testament to the connection between the people of Massachusetts and Cabo Verde. Its future as a floating classroom and training vessel for Massachusetts Maritime Academy will ensure that history — and the importance the Ernestina-Morrissey holds not only to the Cape Verdean community, but to New Bedford seamen — will not be lost.”

"I am proud to help welcome the Ernestina-Morrissey to its next life with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy," added State Representative Steve Xiarhos (R-5th Barnstable). "This legendary schooner has a rich and compelling history, involving people on both sides of the Atlantic. It is important for us to be able to pass along the stories of this heritage to the next generation, while also creating new adventures for the vessel in the years ahead. This is an exciting day for our Commonwealth."

“The rehabilitation of the Ernestina-Morrissey is critical to our ongoing conservation efforts for state-managed landmarks and ensures a thoughtful approach and strategy in preserving the Commonwealth’s rich history,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card.  “The vessel’s restoration and homecoming is an exciting milestone for the Baker-Polito Administration and will improve the vital connection to those who came before us.”

Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Doug Rice added, “Over the last 40 years, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has worked to maintain and rehabilitate the Ernestina-Morrissey, the Official Vessel of the Commonwealth.  We are proud to bring this historic vessel home to New Bedford and we look forward to continuing to aid the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the process to restore this historic vessel to her former glory.” 

“The Ernestina-Morrissey captured my imagination the moment I stepped aboard over 25 years ago, a small time in the life of this historic ship,” remembered Bob Hildreth, able seaman and founder and chair of the board of Inversant. “But it was a critical time during which we saw the ship in danger of being hauled ashore to make it into a museum only to appear as a gleaming and seaworthy ship today. I have tried to be there with my treasure at every stage. It is truly a wonderful day!”

Added Jose Couto Centeio, Esq., chair of the Governor-appointed Schooner Ernestina Advisory Board (SEMAB), “When we work together, we can go places and do beautiful things with Ernestina-Morrissey.”

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with a ship of such historical significance and to carry forward this new mission of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey,” concluded Captain Tiffany Krihwan, master of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey.

For more information about the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey, please visit https://www.maritime.edu/fleet/ernestina.

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, 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 students for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest 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. 

Photos:  The Ernestina-Morrissey; from left to right State Representative Steve Xiarhos; State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues; State Representative Kip A. Diggs; Bob Hildreth; State Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral; Jose Couto Centeio, Esq.; Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito; New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell; Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva, Republic of Cabo Verde; U.S. Representative William B. Keating; State Representative Christopher Hendricks; State Representative David T. Vieira; Capt. Elizabeth Simmons, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Wendy Pearl, Department of Conservation and Recreation; Julius Britto; Consul General of Canada Rodger Cuzner.

WHEN:    Saturday, December 17, 10:00am-12:00pm (invitation only, RSVP required). Additional information is located at: https://givebutter.com/ernestina

WHAT:    Please join us in a welcome home of the Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Ernestina-Morrissey. The vessel will be open for public tours Saturday 12/17/2022 from 2-4pm and Sunday 12/18/2022 from 11am-1pm (first come first serve, no reservation required)

WHO: Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the City of New Bedford, Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Lt. Governor Polito, along with State and Local Government officials

WHERE: 49 State Pier, New Bedford, MA

WHY:   The Schooner 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 7-year refurbishment in Maine, under the care of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, she has returned to the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy will focus the efforts of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey on undergraduate sail-training and leadership training for cadets, K-12 STEM programming, and community outreach and 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.

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy: 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, the Academy has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest co-ed maritime college, the Academy 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 the Academy on FB:  @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter: @MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED DECEMBER 12, 2022…It’s less than 25 days and counting until Sea Term 2023 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.

As of now, nearly 18,000 PreK-12 students and their classroom teachers from around the world have excitedly signed up to participate in the Academy’s Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program, a one-of-a-kind STEM adventure on land and sea.

The no-cost program, running from January 3-February 19, 2023, will allow registered participants to virtually travel aboard the TS Kennedy, a former commercial freighter and current training vessel of the United States Maritime Service, presently under the command of Massachusetts Maritime Academy alumnus Captain Michael Campbell, a member of the class of 1987. With a new training ship scheduled to be delivered next winter, this will be the final voyage of the TS Kennedy.

So far, students from 33 states, three U.S. territories, and eight foreign countries are looking forward to being “on board” to experience a unique resource of projects and activities as they remotely travel and learn alongside Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets. Students and their teachers will feel as if they are right beside cadets as the TS Kennedy conducts anchoring drills off the coast of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and visits Bridgetown, Barbados, Oranjestad, Aruba. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Fort Lauderdale.

In addition, a team of cadet bloggers will share day-to-day shipboard life with participants, talk about what they are learning in their classes, explain their engine and deck watch responsibilities, and fill followers in on their maintenance obligations. Weather forecasting, celestial navigation, ocean currents, rust removal, engine maintenance, sewerage treatment, firefighting, and seawater desalination will be among the many topics addressed.

For the first time, PreK-12 classes from Department of Defense schools and schools located on military bases will participate the program.  Base schools presently registered include those from Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Bragg, Fort Buchanan, Fort Carson, Fort Hood, Fort Wainwright, Hanscom Air Force Base, Marine Corp Base Quantico, and Travis Air Force Base.

“The excitement surrounding the 2023 Follow The Voyage – Share the Experience Program is building at a rapid pace as we count down to January 3rd,” said Nancy Franks, K-12 Outreach Coordinator at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Over the years this one-of-a-kind virtual journey has allowed hundreds of thousands of students to experience the ultimate STEM adventure on land and sea.”

“The importance of offering STEM programs to students from an early age cannot be overstated,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Our Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience Program offers a unique and engaging learning experience that participating students and their classroom teachers are certain to remember!”

The Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience Program, formerly named Follow The Voyage, originated in 1997 as a partnership with Hanson Middle School in Hanson, Massachusetts, with the goal of promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to students in grades seven and eight. In 2017, the program was expanded to include students in grades 2-8. One year later, the program grew to include Pre-K – 12 students at which time it was renamed Follow the Voyage – Share the Experience.

Educators are invited to email ftv@maritme.edu by January 1^st to register a class, grade level, troop, club or school for The Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience Program.

Everyone else is encouraged to share in the excitement on the Academy’s website after January 3^rd.

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, 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 students for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest 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. 

Partnership celebrated for offshore wind industry achievement

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, HOUMA, LOUISIANA, ISSUED DECEMBER 6, 2022…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, in partnership with RelyOn Nutec (www.relyonnutec.com), the leading provider of safety services globally, was named winner of the 2022 Ventus Award by the Business Network for Offshore Wind at the Ventus Gala, held November 17 in Washington, D.C.

The Ventus Awards represent the offshore wind industry’s highest level of professional recognition, celebrating the cutting-edge innovations and the trailblazing people, companies, and organizations ushering in a new era for offshore wind energy.

MMA and RelyOn Nutec were joint winners in the Health, Safety & Environment Program of the Year category for their Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training (BST) hybrid program, in place at the Academy since November 2019. In less than three years, some 200 participants have successfully completed the training, including 82 members of the District Council of New England Ironworkers.

The award was presented to Mauricio Guzman, business development manager for renewables for RelyOn Nutec, and Captain Michael Burns, executive director of the Maritime Center for Responsible Energy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, at the Ventus Gala, where hundreds of professionals across the global offshore wind supply chain came together to celebrate the industry’s collective accomplishments.

“We are honored to be recognized with this Ventus Award along with our partner RelyOn Nutec,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We congratulate all the finalists, and look forward to continuing to contribute to advancements in the offshore wind industry.”

“Thank you to the Business Network for Offshore Wind for this recognition,” added Jenni Lewis, RelyOn Nutec managing director, U.S., Mexico & Caribbean. “We are proud of our partnership with the Academy, and look forward to continuing to innovate, apply, and provide vital safety training for all those in the industry together.”

“It is critical that the U.S. offshore wind industry invests in developing a highly skilled, trained, and most importantly, safe workforce,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, the host of the Ventus awards. “The innovative and comprehensive Adaptive Learning Model developed by RelyOn Nutec and tested by Massachusetts Maritime Academy addresses knowledge gaps and blind spots that are critical to address, particularly as it relates to safety and response procedures.”

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): MMA 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 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 RelyOn Nutec:  RelyOn Nutec delivers safety, compliance and competence services and solutions across the world. Through +30 facilities, RelyOn Nutec helps clients protect their people, assets and the environment. RelyOn Nutec has a history dating back over 50 years. 

RelyOn Nutec is leading the safety and technical training field and has a broad range of innovative digital services, including digital learning, simulation technology and a market-leading suite of SaaS applications. The digital services include a modular approach to managing safety across business processes while minimizing risk, revolutionizing workforce safety, compliance and competence tracking. To learn more, please visit: www.relyonnutec.com.

Photo (left to right):  Michael Burns, Executive Director- Maritime Center for Responsible Energy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Bryan Stockton, Orsted Head of Regulatory Affairs; Mauricio Guzman, Business Development Manager for Renewables for Relyon Nutec.