U.S. Department of Transportation no topic Update: In The News, May 2014

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U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

In the News

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Message from Rear Admiral Helis

Licensing examinations and graduation for the Class of 2014 are upon us.  I wanted to pass on an update on the Academy before the end of the 2013-2014 Academic Year.

We continue to make progress on upgrading our facilities.  The Delano Hall project is in its final stages with the construction of a new loading dock.  Rodgers Hall is on track to reopen in September 2014, which will complete the barracks renovations.  And the Mallory Pier replacement is complete, with a new concrete pier in place that will serve the waterfront for decades to come.  Concurrent with the completion of Mallory Pier, the new Kings Pointer, with a crew including staff, faculty, and midshipmen, sailed from her temporary berth in Virginia to the Academy.  Our faculty have already begun using the Kings Pointer as a floating classroom.

We are making good progress to enhance security on campus, bringing the Academy in line with standards for security of federal facilities and adopting best practices for campus security.  This year we deployed a new armed and better-trained guard force.  We activated a command center that allows the guards to monitor the cameras and call boxes and coordinate response to any incidents.  And we turned on an electronic access system for the barracks in May.  We will continue to improve our security programs as we make Kings Point the safest campus in America.

As we prepare to say farewell to the class of 2014, the class of 2018 is scheduled to arrive on 2 July.  The Admissions Office and our dedicated volunteers continue to spread the good word about Kings Point.  Our preliminary data indicates this class will have higher SATs and greater diversity than any class in memory.  We significantly improved the process for offering appointments from the Secretary of Transportation, which enabled us to further enhance diversity and bring in over thirty candidates of special value to the Academy.

We welcomed Mr. Jim Connett as the new Director of Public Works.  Mr. Connett joins us from the Federal Aviation Administration, where he was facilities manager for the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.  Mr. Connett served a temporary detail at the Academy in 2012 and eagerly returned in a permanent capacity.

The Academy and the Regiment continue to benefit from the generosity of our alumni.  The Class of 1962 has funded midshipmen participation in leadership and professional development events across the country throughout the year.  And the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation provided a large gift that will support our athletic programs and many other activities and departments.  We are grateful for the support that enables us to provide a margin of excellence to the midshipmen’s experience.

 

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T/V Kings Pointer Ties Up at the United States Merchant Marine Academy

On Saturday evening, April 12th, the T/V Kings Pointer, the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) newest training vessel tied up at her home port, Kings Point. The vessel, formerly the M/V Liberty Star, once served as a Solid Rocket Booster Recovery Vessel for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Click here for full story.

 

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DOT Chief of Staff Visits USMMA

On Friday March 28, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Chief of Staff, Sarah Feinberg visited the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point. Following a briefing by Superintendent, Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Ms. Feinberg joined the Admiral for a quick tour of the campus. “We were very happy to have Ms. Feinberg visit the USMMA.  She reiterated Secretary Foxx’s ongoing commitment to USMMA.”  Click here for full story.

 

 

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USMMA Regimental Band and Color Guard in NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

On Monday, March 17th, the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) Regimental Band and Color Guard marched in New York City’s 253rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  The band was selected to escort the honorees of this year’s parade, The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), on their 100th Anniversary in New York. Also marching with the GAA was the Honorable Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach of Ireland.   Click here for full story.

 

 

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Kings Pointer to Lead 130 Soldiers in Afghanistan

USMMA Alumnus, CPT David Taliaferro, Class of 2007, has been chosen to lead 130 soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 133rd Quartermaster Company / U.S. Central Command Materiel Recovery Element (CMRE), based out of Fort Hamilton, NY, during their mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Click here for full story.

 

 

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Campus Construction Updates

USMMA continues progress in its Capital Improvement Plan. Click here for full story.

 

 

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Class of 1962 Continues Giving Back to USMMA

In February, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) received a gift of $50,000 from the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation (USMMAAF) on behalf of the Class of 1962.  This generous donation will be placed in the Class of 1962 Fund for Midshipmen Professional and Leadership Development.
This is the second installment of an even larger gift which will total $375,000.  Click here for full story.

 

 

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U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Named One of Our Nation's "Best Value Colleges"

On January 28, 2014, The Princeton Review released its annual list of the nation's "Best Value Colleges". The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is one of 75 public colleges that have received this honor.  USMMA has been on the Princeton Review’s list of “Best Value Colleges” every year since the project began in 2004.  Click here for full story.

 

 


U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, New York, 11024
www.usmma.edu Office of External Affairs 516-726-6048