Press Releases

1-15-2025

Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Andrew Dyment Receives Commandant’s Award; 3^rd Year Cadet Donates Life-Saving Stem Cells

GREENWICH, CT, and BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED JANUARY 15, 2025…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, takes great pride in announcing that Cadet Third Class Andrew Dyment of Greenwich, Connecticut, has been presented with the Commandant’s Award for demonstrating a life-saving act.

After enrolling in the National Marrow Donor Program “Be the Match” drive at the Academy, Cadet Dyment was contacted and informed that he was a potential genetic match for a person critically ill with leukemia. Following extensive interviews, multiple rounds of blood tests, and medication injections to boost his own blood cells, Dyment donated stem cells on March 6, 2024, during a full day collection period.

As such, Dyment was recognized with the Commandant’s Award, given to cadets who demonstrate outstanding performance.

“When asked why he was willing to go through all that was required to be a donor, Andrew simply responded ‘why wouldn’t I do it, if I could help someone?’” said Rory Deegan CDR, acting commandant of cadets at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “He may have shared his blood cells with a single individual in need, however, his example of generosity, kindness, courage, and selflessness is shared with all of us.”

“The entire MMA community takes pride in Andrew’s demonstration of compassion and valor,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  “His desire to help others has resulted in a life-saving act.”

Said Cadet Dyment, “I am so grateful for the opportunity that NMDP has given me and for all the great people who I got to meet and work with along the way during the screening and donation process.” 

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.