The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, United States Secretary of Transportation to Deliver Commencement Address
 

KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Tomorrow, June 20, 2020, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) will host its first semi-virtual commencement exercises at USMMA. The Class of 2020 has chosen United States Secretary of Transportation, Elaine L. Chao, to deliver the commencement address, and Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping, and Chairman of the ABS Group of Companies, Inc., as their Distinguished Industry Speaker. This year, Mr. Brian Coyne, Managing Director of KPI Bridge Oil in the Americas, and a graduate of the Class of 2000, has been selected as USMMA’s Distinguished Alumni Speaker.

The event will be closed to the public, but all are invited to participate virtually. Livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube will begin with pre-recorded celebratory messages from surprise guests at 8:30 a.m. The live program will begin at 9:00 a.m.

A link to the Graduation Program is available on the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation website. Click here to access the link: Class of 2020 Graduation Program, or copy and paste the link that follows: https://online.fliphtml5.com/gkrbu/gwst/

To Like and Share USMMA’s official social media pages, and to enable notifications, go to:

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You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfg5uaCxRVePQKHwqpoNoNQ

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WHAT:           2020 U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Graduation Ceremony

WHEN:           Saturday, June 20, at 8:30 a.m.  

WHERE:         USMMA, Wiley Hall – Caswell Holloway Terrace –

                          CLOSED TO MEDIA AND PUBLIC
  

WHO:              210 of the Class of 2020, representing almost every State in the Nation and Republic of      Panama

The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, United States Secretary of Transportation

The Honorable Mark H. Buzby,’79, Maritime Administrator

Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping, and Chairman of the ABS Group of Companies, Inc.

Mr. Brian Coyne, ’00, Managing Director of KPI Bridge Oil in the Americas

 Rear Admiral Jack J. Buono,’78, Superintendent

Rear Admiral John R. Ballard, Academic Dean & Provost

Valedictorian: Robert Joseph Gaines, Athol, ID

Class President: Patrick James Fitzpatrick Hume, Windham, NH

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. 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.

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