KINGS POINT, N.Y., September 19, 2022 – The past few weeks were very exciting at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA.) The Academy hosted major events that welcomed generations of Kings Pointers and their families to the Academy.

USMMA hosted the annual Parents Weekend, September 2-5. Beginning on Friday morning, family members observed morning colors and attended classes with their midshipmen. They visited the Academy training ship, T/V Kings Pointer, the Mariners’ Memorial Chapel, and the American Merchant Marine Museum.  After lunch, they met with Rear Admiral Susan L. Dunlap, Deputy Superintendent (performing the duties of the Superintendent) for a briefing on ongoing and future projects. That evening, they celebrated with the Class of 2026, who were sworn into the U.S. Navy Reserve.

This past weekend, September 15-18, the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation hosted its first Homecoming since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Highlights of the weekend included; a formal parade on Friday, where the Regiment of Midshipmen honored Kings Pointer of the Year, former Superintendent, Vice Admiral Jack Buono, 78, a candlelight vigil honoring “142” cadet-midshipmen who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII, the Annual Hall of Fame dinner honoring six new members of the USMMA Athletic Hall of Fame, and a special performance of Beat Retreat.

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The United States 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. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.