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Student Scholars and Faculty Honored with Maine Maritime Academy Academic Achievement Awards

Posted on: December 7, 2020

CASTINE, Maine—Maine Maritime Academy’s annual Academic Achievement Awards honor the scholarly accomplishments of students and the service of faculty. This year, awardees were notified outside of the traditional banquet and in-person event.

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 marine 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 in 2020 include:

  • Jacob Bouchard, Class of 2020, a Marine Engineering Operations major from Enfield, Maine
  • Dylan Bunker, Class of 2021, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Bucksport, Maine
  • Sierra Bussell, Class of 2022, a Vessel Operations and Technology major from Greenville, Maine
  • Jessica D’Auria, Class of 2021, a Marine Biology & Small Vessel Operations dual major from Hopewell Junction, New York
  • Michael Joosten, Class of 2022, a Marine Technology Operations major from San Diego, California
  • Catherine Mahoney, Class of 2021, a Marine Science & Small Vessel Operations dual major from Plymouth, Massachusetts
  • Ashley Porter, Class of 2021, a Power Engineering Technology major from Cutler, Maine
  • John Teuton, Class of 2023, an International Business and Logistics major from Hartsville, South Carolina
  • Liam Veverka, Class of 2022, a Power Engineering Operations major from Hancock, New Hampshire
  • Carter Ward, Class of 2021, a Marine Systems Engineering (5 year) major from Lincoln, 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 full-time undergraduate students in pursuit of a degree in fields such as mechanical engineering, naval architecture, marine engineering, offshore engineering, cyber security, digital forensics, and data science. 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 engineering students in 2020:

  • Devon Faller, a Marine Systems Engineering (5 year) major from Meredith, New Hampshire, Class of 2020
  • Sawyer King, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Appleton, Maine, Class of 2022
  • Garrett Morin, a Power Engineering Technology major from Turner, Maine, Class of 2021
  • Eric Mote, a Marine Engineering Operations major from Blue Hill, Maine, Class of 2023
  • James Trentham, a Marine Systems Engineering (5 year) major from Middletown, Delaware, Class of 2020

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 nearly 2,900 scholarships totaling over $16 million. Mitchell Scholars recognized on Wednesday evening included:

  • Tyler Alley, Class of 2024, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Jonesport, Maine
  • Bryson Bailey, Class of 2024, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Wilton, Maine
  • Noah Caramihalis, Class of 2024, a Vessel Operations and Technology major from York, Maine
  • Keegan Gentle, Class of 2024, a Power Engineering Technology major from Houlton, Maine
  • Dawson Jones, Class of 2024, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Stoneham, Maine
  • Cassidee Lawrence, Class of 2024, an International Business and Logistics major from Perry, Maine
  • Chandler Rollins, Class of 2024, a Marine Engineering Technology major from Phillips, Maine

Faculty Promotion
Also celebrated were four faculty members who achieved the rank of full professor at the conclusion of the past academic year:  Marine Transportation Professor Ender Asyali; Arts & Sciences Professor Gary Lapham; Engineering Professor Douglas Read; and Arts and Sciences Professor Christine Skwiot.

Please visit the MMA website for more information on the awards and honorees.

Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering programs of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented degree programs. The job placement rate for MMA graduates exceeds 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations such as U.S. News and World Report, Washington Monthly, and Money Magazine. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.