KINGS POINT, N.Y., September 4, 2013 - Christian Ehrhardt, a local leader in the community, donated an award plaque to memorialize the accomplishment of winners of the Ehrhardt First Classmen EMS Service Award  on the steps of Wiley Hall today, the administration building of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).

Superintendent, Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent Susan Dunlap, Commandant Jay Kennedy, Rick Sager, administrator, Department of Health Services & Emergency Medical Services, EMT midshipmen and Vigilant Fire Department were part of the official ceremony.  In 2009, the Ehrhardt First Classmen EMS Service Award was created to recognize graduating midshipman Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) for outstanding service and accomplishments throughout their tenure at the USMMA.

“This award and recognition to the EMT midshipman and their service to the community is something we are very proud of at the Academy,” said Helis. “We encourage meaningful partnerships in the community and appreciate the special donation made by Christian Ehrhardt as well as his active participation with the Academy.”

The $1,000 award is given to one or two graduating midshipmen each year. It is funded for 30 years by community resident and leader Ehrhardt, a long-time resident of Long Island from Manhasset and Great Neck. His grandparents were Great Neck residents for over fifty years. When his grandfather had a medical crisis at the house, Midshipman Patrick Gorman '07, who was part of the USMMA EMT program and a volunteer with Great Neck Vigilant Fire Department responded and saved his life.

Today, Ehrhardt donated a plaque that will be engraved with the award winners’ names each year and be displayed in Patten Health Clinic, the base of the USMMA EMS squad.

Over the last five years Mr. Ehrhardt has delivered guest lectures at the Academy on the topics of international security and leadership, served as a mentor to the Midshipmen EMTs and has been a member of the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation’s Superintendents Council.  He serves as a career member of the United States Foreign Service with prior overseas postings in Iraq, Libya and Haiti. He is a resident of Manhasset and a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department.