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Student Scholars and Faculty Honored at Achievement Awards

Posted on: November 13, 2017

CASTINE, Maine—Maine Maritime Academy’s annual Academic Achievement Awards banquet was held on Thursday evening, November 9, to honor the scholarly accomplishments of students and the service of faculty.

Scheel Scholars
Henry A. Scheel of Rockport, Maine was one of America’s most respected naval architects and yacht designers. During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Scheel produced more than 250 complete designs which have been utilized by builders of sailboats and other craft in the U.S. and Europe. To express his high regard for Maine Maritime Academy, Mr. Scheel left funds in 1994 to permanently endow scholarships for students in the three upper classes who best exemplify intellectual curiosity and achievement. The ten Scheel Scholars honored on Thursday include:
• Alexandra Allen, Class of 2019, a Marine Science major from Easton, Maine
• Alexander Black, Class of 2019, a Marine Transportation Operations major from Charleston, South Carolina
• Rachel Borisko, Class of 2019, a Marine Biology/ Small Vessel Operations major from Atkinson, New
Hampshire
• John Brigante, Jr, Class of 2018, a Marine Systems Engineering major from Woodbine, Maryland
• Rachel Bunker, Class of 2020, an International Business & Logistics major from Ellsworth, Maine
• Jacob Chubbuck, Class of 2018, a Power Engineering Technology major from Orono, Maine
• Adam Clukey, Class of 2018, a Marine Engineering Operations major from Norridgewock, Maine
• Hila Shooter, Class of 2019, a Vessel Operations and Technology major from Monroe, Maine
• Marshall Spear, Class of 2018, an Marine Engineering Technology major from Rockport, Maine
• Erik Young, Class of 2018, a Power Engineering Operations major from Howland, Maine

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Scholars
ABS, a leading international classification society, is devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment, primarily through the establishment and verification of technical and engineering standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of ships and marine-related facilities. The ABS Scholarship is awarded to deserving engineering and naval architecture students. Recipients of this prestigious academic award receive a scholarship in each of the final two years of their studies at MMA. They are also given an opportunity to complete an internship with the American Bureau of Shipping. ABS awarded scholarships to these outstanding MMA Marine Systems Engineering students in 2016:
• Jeremy Beaulieu, from Scarborough, Maine, Class of 2018
• John Brigante Jr., from Woodbine, Maryland, Class of 2018
• Ryan Donlon, from Saco, Maine, Class of 2018
• William Easley, from Niceville, Florida, Class of 2018
• Michael Granger, from Saco, Maine, Class of 2018
• Jared Hall, from North Granby, Connecticut, Class of 2018
• Rylee Knox, from Turner, Maine, Class of 2018
• Jacques Lussier, from Groveland, Massachusetts, Class of 2018
• Liam O’Leary, from Stratford, Connecticut, Class of 2018

Mitchell Scholars
The Mitchell Institute awards more than 130 scholarships each year, one to a graduating senior from every public high school in Maine. Selection is based on academic potential, community impact, and financial need. Since 1995, the Institute has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships totaling over $13 million. Mitchell Scholars recognized on Thursday evening included:
• Max Barton, Class of 2021, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Yarmouth, Maine
• Tanton Mattson, Class of 2021, a Power Engineering Technology major from Lisbon Falls, Maine
• Brayden Miller, Class of 2021, a Marine Engineering Operations major from Dexter, Maine
• Alexander Powers, Class of 2021, a Power Engineering Technology major from Medway, Maine
• Brooke Wagstaff, Class of 2021, a Marine Biology/ Small Vessel Operations major from Wiscasset, Maine

Professor’s Award for Excellence in Casualty Analysis
The International and Inland Navigation Rules of the Road, designed to prevent collisions at sea, form the basis of a mariner’s knowledge. This knowledge is so vital that our Marine Transportation students take two focused courses on the subject. Casualty Analysis, the second of the two courses, emphasizes the in-depth understanding, synthesis, critical thinking, and application of these Rules. This award is presented to the student who not only has achieved the highest class standing in the course, but who, in the opinion of the department, demonstrates the greatest aptitude in the subject. This year’s recipient is Garrett Nelson, Class of 2018, a Vessel Operations and Technology major from Sidney, Maine.

Excellence in Teaching Award
In selecting the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, faculty from every academic department were nominated by students in the three upper classes, and by alumni of the last five years. From those nominations, the award recipient was chosen by a committee comprising the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, and an Emerita Professor, Dr. Elaine Potoker. In its deliberations, the Committee considered the letters of nomination as well as teaching evaluations from the Dean, the Department Chair, and the students. This year’s award for Excellence in Teaching goes to Assistant Professor Jeffrey Boal , recognizing that he exemplifies both knowledge of subject matter and a passion for teaching and student learning and safety.

One faculty member was also honored on Thursday for promotion to full professor: Patrick Lorenz, Ph.D. Professor Lorenz currently teaches Mathematics at Maine Maritime Academy. He graduated from St. John’s University in Minnesota, where he received two Bachelor of Arts degrees, in Mathematics and Physics, and a commission in the U.S. Army as an R.O.T.C Distinguished Military Graduate. Dr. Lorenz began his military career after first earning his doctorate from Southern Illinois University in physical sciences. After 21 years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Lorenz retired from the service.

Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 22 programs of study in engineering, management, science and transportation. The college’s job placement rate exceeds 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.