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Alumni News

Alumni & USNS Savannah

“IN 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the United States build the world’s first nuclear-powered cargo/passenger ship to demonstrate the peaceful use of the atom.”

These are the opening words of an article written by Robert Moody, ’68 in the Fall 2012 Mariner. Moody sailed aboard USNS Savannah in 1969 as a reactor operator/health physics and water chemistry technician.

Launched in 1959, Savannah was removed from service in 1970, but Moody maintained a sincere and lifelong passion for the vessel.

In 2009, NS Savannah Association, Inc. (NSSA) was formed as a non-profit organization to educate the public of the vessel’s historical significance, offer it as a floating museum, and secure permanent berth for the ship. As a past Director and President, Moody volunteered many hours of service to the NSSA mission.

Following his stint aboard Savannah, Moody spent the next 42 years in the nuclear industry, retiring from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2011. As a retirement gift, a friend made him a model of NS Savannah, shown above. Moody passed away in 2018. His brother Richard ’65 contacted the Alumni Office recently, informing us that his widow Christine wished to donate the model (shown above) to MMA, whtere it is now on display in the Wyman House, home of the Alumni Association.

Many other MMA alumni sailed aboard Savannah: Cecil Benson ’46, Robert Bickford ’65, William Crawford ’56, Doug Glenn ’64, Lawrence Gribbin ’56, Lawrence Grimard ’66, Thomas Hyde ’59, Richard Keimig ’62, John Mathieson ’67, Francis “Bucky” Owens ’66, Herbert Phelps ’57, Dave Pope ’67, Warren Richter ’66, Robert Robins ’60, and Charlie Weeks ’64 (Mariner, Fall 2012).

The ship is berthed at Pier 13, Canton Marine Terminal, Baltimore, Maryland.

If you have a NS Savannah experience, please share it with alumni@mma.edu.

—By Jeff Wright, Director of Alumni Relations

Photo: Billy R. Sims

  • Advancement
    Yacht Donation

    MMA’S YACHT DONATION Program has been supporting Waterfront activities for nearly 50 years. In 2018, Joe Lobley stepped in as program steward after Jeff Loustaunau’s retirement. Loustaunau and Marine Surveyor, Norm LeBlanc, defined the yacht donation standard that separates MMA from many other yacht donation programs. Lobley continues to build upon their legacy by shifting the program’s focus towards higher valued boats. His ability to build strong business relations with yacht brokers is essential for the program’s success. These brokers work with yacht owners and offer the donation option as an alternative to selling their yachts.

    Upon acceptance into the program, a yacht is available for charter, and after three years at MMA, for sale. Net proceeds from each charter and sale support the Waterfront and projects like the Bowdoin Future Fund. Also very important to the success of the program, is the support provided by MMA’s Advancement and Finance Departments. Currently, the Academy has power and sail boats on charter from Maine to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Great Lakes. Our charterers include MMA alumni and people from a variety of professions. In fact, one of the boats is being used as a dive boat and floating laboratory by a non-profit shark research group working in the Bahamas. To see the Academy’s current charter inventory, please visit: https://mainemaritime.edu/giving/yacht-donation-program/.

  • Student services
    Shared Experience

    Women’s History Month is dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the vital role women have played throughout history. It is an opportunity to honor women in our community. In past years Deidra Davis, Dean of Student Services, has hosted an on-campus panel of Women of Distinction, where MMA alumnae return to campus and share their experiences, provide insight on career options, and inspire our current and future students. This year the Women of Distinction event was held via Zoom, with participants attending breakout sessions with panelists, allowing for additional conversation and networking.

    women panelists picture

    Panelists were Kelsi Eiane ’10, MSE; Katie Pushard ’11, IBL; Katie Hutchinson Pullman ’11, IBL; Angela Fouquette ’14 MSE; Rebekah Campbell ’15, IBL; Jillian Perron ’15, MB; Elizabeth Trenchman ’15, MB; Coronado Hickman ’16, MTO; Gillian Milstein ’16, MB; Victoria Cooper Haslam ’17, IBL; Lauren McKenna ’17, MB/SVO; Maggie McConkey ’18, PET; Shelby O’Neil ’18, VOT; Cristin Wright ’18, MS/SVO; and Sierra James ’19, MB.

    Photos: courtesy of Shelby O’Neil, Katie Hutchinson Pullman, and Maggie McConkey

BANGOR SEA DOGS
John Burns III ’85
51 Ash Lane
Hermon, ME 04401
207-973-1201
john.burnsiii@vistraenergy.com

BAY STATE
Samuel Rowe ’65
195 Eagle Drive
Mashpee, MA 02649
508-539-2395
skidrowe42@verizon.net

CASCO BAY
Pat Zrioka ’87
207-314-0128
sls218@fwwebb.com

CONNECTICUT
Rich Slack ’93
32 Joy Lane
Uncasville, CT 06382
860-861-1762
rslack@gdeb.com

DELAWARE VALLEY
Tom Lord ’87
Berwyn,PA
610-312-4001
twlord@comcast.net

FLORIDA
David Knapp ’86
5008 Longfellow Avenue
Tampa, FL 33629
813-295-0484
drknapp@tecoenergy.com

KENNEBEC VALLEY
Jon Fortier ’86
5 West Baker Street
Winslow, ME 04901
207-649-2724
jon.fortier@gmail.com

NED ANDREWS
Ben Cameron ’93
Brunswick, ME
ben@harbordigitalsystems.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Michael Chambers ’80
2233 21st Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
mcham31153@aol.com

NORTH FLORIDA
David Lane ’68
St. Augustine, FL
huhmame@yahoo.com

PANAMA CANAL
Juan Molino ’89
jcmolino@gmail.com

PENOBSCOT BAY
Lindsey Pinkham ’04
111 Greenwood Avenue
Warren, ME 04864
207-380-4661
lindsey@midcoastfirstaid.com

PUGET SOUND
Minh Harriman ’90
281-639-8535
mth99_99@yahoo.com

SEACOAST
Mike Grigware ’87
30 Riverview Drive
Biddeford, ME 04005
207-284-8630
mikegrigware@gmail.com

SOUTHEAST
Norman Laskay ’62
5848 Catina Street
New Orleans, LA 70124
504-382-6023
nlaskay@portlite.com

SOUTHEAST ATLANTIC
Capt. Jay Stewart ’00
843-296-7732
capt.jtws@gmail.com

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ralph Staples ’71
299 OakValley Lane
Escondido, CA 92027
619-733-1942
rstaples@epsilonsystems.com

TEXAS
Sherri Hickman ’85
713-705-4316
captainsheena@msn.com

TIDEWATER
Michael T. Ward ’10
Virginia Beach, VA
978-427-8988
michael.t.ward2010@gmail.com

WASHINGTON, DC
Josh Collamer ’98
Silver Spring, MD
210-875-9277

Jason Grabelle ’98
Ellicott City, MD
jason.grabelle@gmail.com

  • Advancement
    Women's Basketball Alumnae Reach 100% Giving

    OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, MMA has been focused on creating a culture of giving, including an annual on-campus Giving Day. This year, the Athletic Department ramped it up by turning the entire month of December into its “Season of Giving.” WBB Participation numbers have seen continued growth, and this year, 100% of Women’s Basketball alumnae gave to MMA, with the proceeds impacting their former program.

    Every cent will be funneled back into the program and used to ensure that we provide our kids with the greatest experience possible.

    “We are thrilled with the support we continue to receive from our alumni,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Craig Dagan. “These contributions are more important than ever due to the financial constraints we have faced due to COVID-19. Every cent will be funneled back into the program and used to ensure that we provide our kids with the greatest experience possible.”

    Alyssa Fortin ’07 summarized this effort by saying, “I am so proud to able to give the current student-athletes the chance to make the same friendships and memories I have from my time at Maine Maritime.”

    More than 60 Women’s Basketball alumnae gave back to the program— an impressive feat and one that we hope inspires other teams and classes to aspire to 100% participation as well.

  • TSSOM
    Training Ship Has A New Master

    The college has hired alumnus Captain Gordon ‘Mac’ MacArthur ’00 to serve as Master aboard TS State of Maine.

    With more than 30 years of experience in the maritime field, MacArthur served most recently as a Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer for Diamond Offshore Drilling. In that role, he monitored environmental conditions, assisted in incident investigation and analysis, maintained and tested equipment, and managed personnel aboard offshore drilling vessels. Prior to joining Diamond, MacArthur served as Chief Mate and Master with Seadrill. In addition to traditional shipboard duties at Seadrill, MacArthur managed a multinational crew through the two-year construction and commissioning project of a new vessel.

    Gordon MacArthur on TSSOM

    MacArthur began his career as a student at MMA in the late eighties and sailed aboard previous State of Maine (USNS Upshur) for the 1989 training cruise. He left his studies in 1990 to serve 8 years in the US Coast Guard before returning in 1998 to resume his education. Following his graduation in 2000 with a BS in Marine Transportation Operations, MacArthur continued his service in the US Coast Guard Reserve.

    Over the years, MacArthur has kept close ties with the college, participating in the 2017 leadership conference and visiting classes as a volunteer guest lecturer. Now a resident of Castine, he is also involved in the local community, serving as a member of the Castine Utility Board and on the Wilson Museum Building and Grounds Committee.

    With his perspective as an alumnus, maritime professional, and local community member, MacArthur has a unique understanding of the role he is taking on. As Master, he will be responsible for the overall operation and safety of the ship, crew, students, and staff. In addition, he will oversee the outcomes, assessment, and continuous improvement of all training programs that utilize the vessel.

    “I’m extremely excited about returning to the Academy in this capacity,” said MacArthur. “I’m very much looking forward to working with students on the ship and being able to play a part in their future successes.”

    MacArthur joins MMA during a particularly busy planning season, as the school prepares for two cruise rotations aboard State of Maine this summer. The upcoming schedule is designed to make up for sea-time that was lost last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The first cruise is set to begin in April, following strict testing and quarantine protocols, and the second will begin in July.

    Photo: Billy R. Sims

Save the Date

Class of 1958 Reunion
June 21 - 23 | MMA campus

Maine Golf Classic
June 28 | Brunswick, ME

Class of 1970 Reunion
July 8 - 10 | MMA campus

Class of 1965 Reunion
July 19 - 21 | MMA campus

Maine Boatbuilder’s Show, Casco Bay Chapter Flea Market
July 23 – 25 | Portland, Maine

Class of 1956 Reunion
August 9 - 11 | MMA campus

Class of 1966 Reunion
August 2 – 4 | MMA campus

Homecoming
September 10 - 11 | MMA campus

Night by the Bay
November 13 | Portland, Maine

For these event details and more: mainemaritime.edu/mariners-forever/events

  • alumni profile
    Victory Chimes

    ADAM TART ’05 COMBINED his engineering skills and maritime experiences during the pandemic as Director of Plant Operations for the Community Medical Center in Tom’s River, New Jersey. Following is an article that appeared in medical center’s blog.

    During the pandemic several projects—from changing the way air circulates through ICU rooms to making it possible to move and connect medical equipment outside of patient rooms for easier access—were vital to providing the best possible care to COVID-19 patients as safely as possible. “And they all happened in a matter of days,” says Theresa Ferretti, MSN, RN, Director, ICU. “We’re so blessed!”

    Community Medical Center staff picture

    Adam Tart, Director, Plant Operations, Community Medical Center (center) and members of the Plant Operations Team presented the Intensive Care Unit with a ship bell.

    “They had quite a battle in the ICU,” says Adam Tart. “Through their dedication and hard work, they’ve saved a lot of lives. We’re happy to be able to contribute to that.” One day, staff announcements included mention of a new tradition: ringing a small bell each time a patient comes off a ventilator or is discharged from the ICU. “I thought about that,” says Tart, “and wanted to step it up a bit to show our support for the ICU team.”

    Tart, a former Navy and Merchant Marine officer, ordered a 12-pound brass bell from a company in North Carolina. “I wanted something that the whole unit can hear,” says Tart.

    In a letter to the ICU staff, he wrote: “You have shown great commitment to this hospital, our patients and humanity, with an unending dedication to your craft, no matter the obstacles. May the pure sound that rings from this bell for each victory warm the hearts of everyone who hears it, and bring a smile so big no mask can hide it.”

    “I wanted them to understand how we feel about them, what an awesome job they’re doing and how honored we are to help them out,” says Tart.

    Photo: courtesy of Community Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility

MARINERS: Stay in Touch

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