Photo Credit: First Class Midshipman Kenobi Kinch, Regimental Public Affairs Officer

KINGS POINT, N.Y., October 18, 2023 – On Monday, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point honored midshipmen who distinguished themselves academically and at sea during the third term of Academic Year 2022–23, at an event hosted by Captain Paul Acquaro, Director of the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and the ACE Staff. 

During the Award Ceremony. Acquaro, Captain Mike Stroud, Acting Deputy Superintendent, Captain James Zatwarnicki, Acting Dean & Provost, and Commander Andrew McCarthy personally congratulated each awardee.

Afterward, Capt. Acquaro said, “Congratulations to all of the midshipmen who have achieved these honors and thanks to the efforts of the Regimental Academic Officer, First Class Midshipman Charlie Ross, Regimental Shipboard Training Liaison Officers, First Class Midshipmen Lars Osell and Frank Connard, and Academic Center for Excellence.”

Gold and Silver Academic Stars at USMMA are awarded on the following basis:

Gold Star: a QPA of at least 3.50 with no course failures in the term.

Silver Star: a QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 with no course failures in the term.

The full list of Gold and Silver Star recipients is accessible by clicking: Academic Stars Academic Year 2022-2023 Trimester 3

Sea Year Ribbons are awarded to those with:

QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49; no failing grade.

Above average (3.0) Shipboard Performance Evaluations, in PD&CS Shipboard Database at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.

The list of Sea Year Ribbon awardees is accessible by clicking Sea Year Ribbons 2024 Trimester 1

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The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y., educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.