Message from Rear Admiral Helis Dear Midshipmen, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Parents and Friends: As the fall leaves begin to turn and the edge comes off the heat and humidity of a hard summer, now is a good time to review events at the Academy since our last publication on the 4th of July. USMMA has been a busy place this quarter. We finished up indoctrination for the Class of 2022 and were pleased with their determination and drive. They have since made their mark on the Regiment experiencing milestones like Acceptance, Swearing-in to the U.S. Navy Reserve and Academics. They are progressing through their training nicely, and have a lot to look forward to. During Parent's Weekend, over the Labor Day holiday, we welcomed parents, families and friends from all around the country for a special weekend of events highlighting the great things happening at the Academy. The first full parade of the season, briefings by Academy staff, Beat Retreat, and the swearing-in of the Class of 2022 into the U.S. Navy Reserve were the high points of the weekend that saw about 2,000 special guests come to visit the campus. We also issued the new strategic plan in August. The plan is the result of an 18-month research and development effort. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Strategic Plan for 2018-2023: Navigating Towards the Future Together, is a true reflection of the collaborative effort we undertook to modernize and update processes and procedures at the Academy to increase efficiency and effectiveness in our programs. The Strategic Planning teams are hard at work defining the roadmap more thoroughly and developing their pathways to success by 2023. We welcomed Dr. John Ballard to the Academy as the new Academic Dean and Provost in early September and we are thrilled he is here. Dr. Ballard and his family are settled in at the Academy and he is in the office full time. His impressive credentials are a great addition to the academic program and his energy is contagious. At a recent installation ceremony, we officially welcomed Dr. Ballard to USMMA, and we were able to say thank you to Captain Preston DeJean for his service as the interim Academic Dean. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of our initial dedication. USMMA was originally dedicated, Sept. 30, 1943, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This year, we have focused on recognizing our first 75 years of service to the Nation. We will continue to recognize our 75th until the New Year, but during this quarter we held the 75th Anniversary celebration at a dinner in Delano Hall hosted by the Regiment and attended by nearly 1,000. The large recognition event was held during homecoming weekend and included a presidential proclamation, the unveiling of the original 142 plaque in Delano Hall, a candlelight vigil by the Class of 2022 and recognition of three members of the Class of 1943. It was a great event, and one we will remember for quite some time. Production was also the work of many people and while there isn't room here to recognize them all, I wanted to say thank you for putting together a world-class observance of an important milestone. Sadly, it is my duty to report that Peter Rackett, a member of the Class of 1961, passed away recently. Mr. Rackett had been active in Academy and Alumni affairs for decades. A local resident, he was a constant source of information and experience on everything to do with USMMA. Some even knew him as "Mr. Kings Point." We celebrated his life at a memorial service in the U.S. Merchant Marine Memorial Chapel in September. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his many, many friends on his passing. Finally, this will be my last newsletter. As you read this, I have begun the transition from Kings Point to the national capital region where I will start a new position at the Department of Transportation headquarters. As we go, Jan and I wish to thank those that have supported us throughout our six years at the helm of this great institution. From the instructor in the classroom, to the coaches, to the Commandant's staff, to the grounds staff, and to the public works professionals, I have always admired your ability to stay focused on the mission. It's that focus that has resulted in the great progress we have enjoyed here over the past six years. To the Midshipmen of the Regiment, it has truly been my honor to lead the Academy and to see each subsequent class develop and grow. I have high expectations for each of you and I leave knowing that our Merchant Marine is in good hands. We should all be proud of Kings Point, and that pride should drive us to be the best we can every day. I am intensely proud of my time here, and it is because of all of you, and all you have done and will continue to do. Jan and I will remember Kings Point and USMMA as a challenging and rewarding experience in which we were able to accomplish many things that supported the Regiment and made life better for Midshipmen. We will miss you Kings Point, and together, we wish you all fair winds and following seas. BEAT COAST GUARD! BE KP! ACTA NON VERBA Rear Admiral James A. Helis
U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, New York, 11024
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Department of Transportation MARAD KP Newsletter Update
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