CASTINE, Maine\u2014The 2016 Commencement will be held at Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. at the Alexander Field House. General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be the college\u2019s Commencement speaker. General Dunford is the nation\u2019s highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe are honored that General Dunford will deliver the send-off to the Class of 2016,\u201d said President Brennan in his announcement of this year\u2019s speaker. \u201cAs our nation\u2019s top military adviser and seasoned Marine Corps commander, General Dunford exemplifies service and leadership. Our students strive to embody both qualities\u2014in their careers and in their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commencement activities will begin at 9 a.m. with the annual awards program in Delano Auditorium in Leavitt Hall. Commencement Exercises will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the Alexander Field House.<\/p>\n
Due to the large number of students in the graduating class, this year\u2019s Commencement will be a ticketed event to assure that the families of graduates are able to have priority seating. Guest tickets for students and families have been provided directly to students. Ticket holders will be admitted into the Field House and overflow seating will be provided in the Margaret Chase Smith Gymnasium, which is connected to the Field House complex. Overflow seating will not require tickets, and attendees can watch the ceremony on large screens in real time.<\/p>\n
The college will also sponsor a live webstream broadcast of the ceremony, enabling family and friends to watch the event online. The webstream will begin at 11 a.m. and can be accessed at the following internet address: [ https:\/\/mainemaritime.edu\/streaming ]https:\/\/mainemaritime.edu\/streaming.<\/p>\n
Dr. William J. Brennan, MMA President, will present diplomas. Dr. David Gardner, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, will preside at the exercises. The oath of office will be administered to new U.S. Merchant Marine officers by Captain Michael A. Baroody, United States Coast Guard. Captain Timothy M. Cooper, United States Navy, will administer the oath of office for Navy Officers. A formal commissioning ceremony will take place one hour following the conclusion of Commencement, at approximately 2:00 p.m. on the lawn in front of Leavitt Hall. In the event of inclement weather, the commissioning ceremony will be held in Delano Auditorium.<\/p>\n
Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 18 degree programs in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented programs of study. Year over year, the job placement rate for MMA graduates is in excess of 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. In 2014 and 2015, MONEY magazine ranked Maine Maritime Academy the #1 Public College in America on their [ \/list:\/\/best-colleges.time.com\/money\/more-rankings\/the-50-best-public-colleges ]Best Colleges list. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of Maine Maritime Academy in 1941. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"