KINGS POINT, N.Y. January 22, 2014 - The United States Merchant Marine Academy  (USMMA) formally accepted a donation of $ 739,305 from the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc, (AAF). The gift was presented by AAF President, Captain Jim Tobin, and is consistent with AAF’s charitable mission to benefit the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Regiment of Midshipmen and Alumni.

The gift will be used to fund many activities.  Five-hundred thousand dollars will be donated to the Blue and Gray Golf Fund, which supports general athletics services at the Academy. The remainder will be donated to other funds including the Midshipman Morale Fund, the United States Merchant Marine Museum, the Mariners’ Memorial Chapel and several academic departments and teams.

Superintendent, Rear Admiral James A. Helis, said, “We are very grateful for this generous gift and for the constant support of the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation. Their commitment to USMMA is evident in their sponsorship of activities and services that benefit the Regiment of Midshipmen, graduates, and the entire Academy community.”