Message from the SuperintendentDear Midshipmen, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Parents and Friends: As the last hat fell to the turf of Tomb Field during the 82nd commencement exercise, we said goodbye to the Class of 2018. Their voyage as Midshipmen is now complete. We wish them well as they open a new chapter in the service of our nation's national security, marine transportation, and economic needs. We welcomed Secretary of Defense James Mattis to the commencement for the 187 graduating Midshipmen of the Class of 2018. He inspired us as he spoke of honor and commitment and the ongoing and important need for professional Merchant Marine Officers. This was a rewarding year and we have much to be proud of as we close out the 2017-2018 Academic Year. We embarked on an updated Strategic Plan this year. Our efforts included bringing together a wide variety of interested stakeholders - early in the process - to provide input and guidance. That inclusive effort has already resulted in a newly approved mission statement for the Academy that accurately codifies our statutory mission requirements. The updated mission statement reads: "To educate and graduate leaders of exemplary character who The rest of the plan is well underway and nearing completion. We are looking forward to sharing it more broadly very soon. Other high points this past year included:
From a facilities perspective, we cut the ribbon on the refurbished gym floor and completely refitted the weight circuit training room. We re-opened Zero Deck with new sea year baggage storage, two fitness rooms, bike storage, a larger laundry room, and other improvements. We added Wi-Fi to all the barracks and we began the process of modernizing and upgrading the Full Mission Bridge Simulator. Looking ahead, the Academy received a record appropriation in the federal budget for fiscal year 2018, which will assist us greatly in capital improvements. Mother Nature even got involved this year and threw us a record number of Nor'easters during the winter and spring months, all of which we weathered as only maritime professionals would. Finally, we enjoyed the best year in Academy athletics. Our Midshipman-athletes stood out at every level, winning five conference titles - men's and women's lacrosse; men's and women's swimming and diving; and women's volleyball. Five other teams - baseball, tennis, men's and women's track and field, and men's cross country - were runners up, and women's basketball reached the conference semi-finals. USMMA won the coveted Skyline Conference President's Cup, which is awarded annually for the best overall performance in conference competition. The sailing team placed two on the All-Conference team and one Midshipman won both the conference and national Sportsman of the Year award. The football team defeated Coast Guard in a game broadcast by ESPN and then went on to victory in the Chapman Bowl. And wrestling again participated in the national championships.
We will start the 2018-2019 Academic Year with a great Academic Convocation later this week, followed closely by the Class of 2022 being sworn into the U.S. Navy Reserve during Parents Weekend. Later in the fall, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Academy's dedication. We have designated Homecoming Weekend as the time when we will celebrate this auspicious occasion. Be sure to check the calendar and the Facebook page (@USMMAOfficial) for additional details. We are very excited about the upcoming year and we are looking forward to seeing alumni, parents and friends of the Academy as we celebrate the heritage and the traditions of USMMA. BE KP! ACTA NON VERBA Rear Admiral James A. Helis
U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, New York, 11024
|
USMMA Newsletter - July 2018
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment