t H e IMP A C t O F
SCholArShIPS At MMA
by Laurie Stone, Kathy Heath, and Leah Bishop
MaineMaritimeAcademyiscommittedtomakingaqualityeducationalexperiencepossibleforstudentsfromalleconomicstrata.
Alumni, families, faculty, friends of the Academy, companies, and foundations comprise the munificent group of dedicated donors to
the college. In total, Maine Maritime Academy has 100 endowed scholarships and 23 (the number varies from year-to-year) pass-
through scholarships available to students. Deserving students are identified by the Financial Aid Office for review by a scholarship
selection committee headed by Kathy Heath, Director of Financial Aid, to receive scholarships generously established and funded by donors who
support the Academy's mission. We asked a few of this year's recipients to tell us about themselves and how receiving a scholarship has impacted
their lives. The following mini-profiles provide a brief glimpse into the interrelationship between donors and students at the Academy. Maine Mari-
time Academy thanks all of its donors for their sincere commitment and genuine interest in both current and future students.
the AMerICAN BureAu oF ShIPPINg SCholArShIP
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Scholarship is awarded to deserving students planning a career in engineering or
naval architecture. to be considered, applicants must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, demonstrate leadership
qualities through active involvement in school programs or clubs, be of good character, and be acknowledged by mem-
bers of the college faculty. One of this year's recipients is Christopher Gilman '16, a marine systems engineering ­ 5 year
program student. Chris is from Old town, Maine and says, "My scholarships have helped me achieve my goals by alleviating
some of the stress of student debt, allowing me to focus on my studies. As an engineering student, I haven't had a lot of
time to work a part-time job while in school, so I am very grateful to receive financial support." Chris is the Student trustee
on the Academy Board of trustees as well as a member of the Student Government Association, the Society of Naval Archi-
tects and Marine engineers, the Student Mariners Society, the Marine technology Society, the American Society of Naval
engineers, the American Society of Mechanical engineers, the Manufacturers Association of Maine, the MMA Chapter of
ChrIStoPher gIlMAN '16
Alpha Phi Omega (a service fraternity), and of the Subsea engineering Society. In addition, Chris plays varsity soccer for
the Academy. His long-term goals are still open-ended but he reports, "I find the design aspect of engineering very inter-
esting and plan to pursue my interests in naval architecture, marine engineering, subsea, and engineering management via
graduate school, the industry, and sailing on my USCG license."
the deAd rIVer SCholArShIP
The Dead River Scholarship is a permanently endowed trust fund established by the Dead River Company and the Ken-
duskeag Foundation during the Maine Maritime Academy Capital Campaign, "On Course for Greatness" in 1989. Scholar-
ships are awarded to two junior and two senior students from Maine with demonstrated financial need, who have distin-
guished themselves during their first two years of matriculation at the Academy. Jordan Dehlinger '16 received the Dead
River Scholarship for 2015. She hails from Rockland, Maine and is majoring in International Business and Logistics. In
order to attend Maine Maritime Academy, Jordan says, "I work two jobs to put myself through school, so any aid is helpful
and appreciated. The Dead River Scholarship, in particular, allows me more time to focus on academics and extracurricular
activities." She acts as president of the Student Business and Logistics Association and is a member of the Mentor Club
and the Student Mariner Society. After graduation, she says, "I plan to work within a career that not only challenges me,
but that I also love. My goal is to travel while continually learning, eventually returning to my roots in Maine." Jordan is
JordAN dehlINger '16
presently an intern at Athena Health, a fast-paced medical billing corporation that works with physicians to rationalize
their billing strategies.
the FrANCIS J. tePedINo regIMeNtAl SCholArShIP FuNd
Francis J. tepedino, esq., Maine Maritime Academy Class of 1958 and founder of the Condor Group in California, per-
manently endowed a trust fund in 2000 to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students in accordance with the
Academy's program of financial aid. Recipients must be citizens of the United States with preference given to Italian-Amer-
ican heritage students from Brooklyn, New York, or New York State. If no student qualifies from New York State, recipients
may be selected from another state. First preference is given to full-time students enrolled in the engineering program;
second, to those pursuing a degree in the marine transportation program. During the benefit period, recipients must be
members of the regiment in good standing and exhibit the highest moral and ethical standards. John tersoni '16 of Upton,
Massachusetts is the 2015 awardee. He is in the 5-year marine systems engineering program, and says, "As an out-of-state
student, the tepedino Scholarship affords me the chance to receive the best education despite the higher rate for tuition."
Outside the classroom, John is a member of the varsity sailing team, enrolled in the NROtC program, and a member of the
JohN terSoNI '16
training officer program for the MMA regiment. He states, "I plan to be commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, retire
after 20 years of service to my country, start my own company, and retire one day somewhere on the northeastern coast."
In the classroom, John has an incisive and inquiring mind, which should help him achieve his life plan.