USMMA Athletics Roundup

In the spirit of celebrating Black History Month, the American Merchant Marine Museum is playing the film Salty Dog Blues: Merchant Marines of Color Fighting for Their Rightful Share, on a continuous loop in the media room.  The documentary is a frank look at the struggle for non-white merchant mariners to be recognized for their service during World War II and beyond.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2016 – This past weekend was a very busy and successful one for a number of our U.S. Merchant Marine Academy athletic teams!

KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 12, 2016 – Twelve midshipmen from Professor Brian Ackerman’s (KP ’90) Engineering Class, began the initial phase of a long-term overhaul of the main engine of the National Historic Landmark vessel, USLV-87/WAL-512 AKA the Lightship AMBROSE at New York City’s South Street Seaport Museum.

The US Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AAF) Chairman of the Board, John Arntzen ‘79, AAF President James Tobin ‘77, Deputy Maritime Administrator Michael Rodriguez ’79, and USMMA Superintendent, RADM James Helis, are meeting on a regular basis to strengthen the dialogue and partnership between the AAF and the Academy.  These discussions are taking place in addition to the regular monthly meetings between Mr. Tobin and RADM Helis.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 10, 2016 -Today midshipmen, faculty, and staff came together for an Ash Wednesday Mass which was celebrated in the Mariners' Memorial Chapel. Ashes were distributed in observance of the beginning of Lent, a forty day period in which Christians prepare for Easter.

The Superintendent congratulated the snow removal crew for their superlative performance in the wake of Winter Storm Jonas, Jan. 23-24. The snow associated with this severe storm started on the morning of 23 January and continued unabated throughout the day, with more than two feet of snow accumulated by the time the storm ended Saturday night. The team operated snow plows in blizzard conditions all day on Saturday, keeping campus streets passable in event of emergency. Even after the storm had passed, they were on the job, clearing paths and parking lots so that the Merchant Marine Academy could open for business on Monday morning.

Leaders of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point answered stakeholders’ questions at the latest USMMA call-in town hall, conducted from the Patterson Room at the Academy’s Wiley Hall on January 28.

Members of the Science Club and faculty provided science activities and fun math challenges to over 150 students at the Elizabeth M Baker Elementary School’s second annual family STEM night.

Deputy Maritime Administrator, Michael J. Rodriguez ’79, joins the USMMA Band and Color Guard at the Department of Transportation 50th Anniversary Celebration, in Washington D.C., Jan. 3.