KINGS POINT, N.Y., September 28, 2014 – The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point welcomed the Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach as the academic year’s first J. Smith Lanier Speaker.  

Capt. Jennifer F. Williams, USCG, a 1990 USMMA graduate, told the midshipmen about her experiences as a Coast Guard officer. She explained that, “day to day, hour to hour, the mission varies.” She detailed challenging cases that she managed just over the past year, including “a barge sinking where I had to rely heavily on engineers to make my decisions; an oil spill with incredible political and public pressure; and a very rewarding search and rescue case where my team was able to lay down search plans and find a man who fell overboard from a boat, and treaded water for almost seven hours, possessing a will to survive.” 

“Capt. Williams has had an impressive career an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.  She demonstrates outstanding service to our country and a deep commitment to the Academy motto, Acta non Verba,” said Superintendent, Rear Adm. James A. Helis, USMS, Ph.D., “It was our privilege to honor her with one of the Academy’s most prestigious awards, The Light of Leadership.”  

She told the midshipmen, that the pride doesn't go away after your four years at KP.  From my class alone, we have at least one Captain or Colonel in every branch of the military...Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard! In the Coast Guard, currently there are three Kings Point graduates that serve as Captain of the Port (LA-LB, Hampton Roads is ‘87 grad Chris Keane, and San Diego is ‘92 grad Jon Spaner.)  Additionally, the Class of ‘90 has harbor pilots, master mariners, chief engineers, professors....and we even an animal veterinarian and an owner of multiple car dealerships.... Every one of my classmates are successful in their own right, and Kings Point helped all of us get our start in that successful life.” 

After Williams’ inspirational speech, the Regimental Commander presented her with the Light of Leadership Award.  The awards inscription explains, “The light of leadership is the light from within, this light is honor and integrity – the true foundation of leadership. It radiates outward to provide vision, encouragement, and inspiration to those we lead.” 

Later Williams said, “the three takeaways I left with the midshipmen were: 

“1. Deck vs. Engine?  An age old competition within the school...which is the better path?  I was a Deckie.  But, I shared how heavily I rely on engineers for much of my work today...But many times it is the Captain who makes the decisions!

 “2. The will to survive, similar to the will to survive by the man who treaded water for nearly 7 hours before being rescued is in us all...I stressed that each and every midshipman possesses a will to survive plebe year, sea projects, license exams, and perhaps even worse situations like shipboard emergencies.  I asked them not to forget that.

“3. The final point I made was a shameless plug to get the midshipmen to email, text, IM, Facebook message, or call their moms and dads!  (It was a subliminal message to my son Joseph, who is a plebe this year, who doesn't really spend a lot of time in communication with parents back home...I guess he is just having too much fun!).  Apparently my message hit home for a few of the kids who contacted their parents that night...because I saw quite a few comments from parents about the lecture.

 As I finished my remarks, I asked if they knew the words to Heave Ho....and boy, did they know the words!  Without hesitation, they began to sing Heave Ho with such enthusiasm, much volume, and true pride.  Simply put, I was in awe of these midshipmen.”

William’s biography is online at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach website.

Williams was the Academy’s 35th Lanier Distinguished Speaker. Funded through an endowment from Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith Lanier, Class of 1950, the series “highlights the more practical aspects of leadership and ethics for members of the Regiment of Midshipmen by bringing to the Academy alumni and other high profile speakers who have achieved success in their personal lives and chosen careers.”