News From Fort Schuyler

January 19, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 5

FOND FAREWELL CERTIFIED SCHOLARS/HELLO NEWLY MINTED ALUMNI - Despite roaring winds and driving rains, thirty-three degrees were awarded at the Winter Graduation ceremonies, including four masters degrees. Among the graduates in this January 14th ceremony were ten engineering majors from the Royal Saudi Naval Force contingent of students. Congratulations to all.

WELCOME ABOARD TO NEW SCHOLARS - On January 4 twenty-one transfer students began life as MUGS in the Class of 2003. In addition, the first of a new contingent of deck and engine license students, sponsored by the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), has arrived on campus. By February over 20 UASC students will be engaged in intensive English instruction this semester. These students, who hail from Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, will join the regiment of cadets in September as members of the Class of 2004. To all we say hello and welcome to SUNY Maritime !

SIGN OF THE TIMES - The Plan of the Week for January 18-24 announces a new year-round drug testing program for cadets ".which has been approved by the United States Coast Guard as meeting the criteria for an acceptable program.." These unannounced tests will be carried out on a random basis and failure to participate renders one ineligible for the Summer Sea Term.

DOING THE RIGHT THING CAN HURT - There's sad news in Fort Schuylerville for baseball payers and fans. The college recently "turned itself in" after learning that a coach hired to lead the team had used very bad judgement during the Fall non-traditional season by putting ineligible players on the field. Once JIM MIGLI, the Director of Athletics, learned of this situation he reported it to the NCAA. The response from NCAA was predictable - cancellation of the Spring 1999 season. BTW - that new coach is now an ex-coach.

THE SEARCH IS UNDERWAY - An advertisement for the Vice President of Academic Affairs position appears in the current Chronicle of Higher Education. The ad specifies that the VPAA "...is the chief academic officer of the college and the senior vice president. In addition to overseeing all aspects of the college's undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs....will have a principal role in the development of a new School of International Business, Trade and Commerce, including the selection of its director." The Search Committee includes the following faculty and staff: ADM. D. BROWN (Chair), J. B. FITZPATRICK, R. LARSON, K. MARKOE, B. WARKENTINE, CAPT. R. WEAVER, Class of 1969, J. WEISS, Class of 1978, C. YOUNGREN, Class of 1967, and C. ZOLA, Class of 1993. Candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and current resume to the Secretary of the Search Committee, Dolores Sciglio (VOICE 718-409-7270; FAX 718-409-7392)

REMEMBERING GEORGE - Following up on the recent reference to long-time seamanship training officer, GEORGE RISER, is this comment from JOHN McLEAN, Class of 1965,:" Do you want to know terror ? It was being a true wet behind the ears MUG, down in the lower hold classroom of the TSES IV in one of George's knot-tying classes. George was truly 'up close and personal' in those sessions. Being a city kid who could just about tie his shoes, learning all those fancy maritime type knots from George was a situation that only Stephen King would enjoy. I didn't."

FORT'S CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL - Graduate and long-time professor at the Maritime College, JOE MCNEILL, Class of 1948, writes that: "The series on Captain Olivet reminds me of all the professors who had an impact on our young lives. True, Olivet was the most visible, but there were so many others." Joe mentions JOHN FOODY, MEIR DEGANI, HY GANDLEMAN, ROGER RINEHART, CHARLIE REY, JOSE FEMENIA, FIL MAGAVERO, and LES DUTCHER. He suggests that much of "...their effect on us was because they were involved outside of the classroom." He goes on to cite the late LESTER A. DUTCHER, Class of 1949, who taught in the Marine Transportation Department for many years and served as Executive Officer on the Training Ship. "During the last year of his life, I met many students who related numerous compassionate stories of how he had helped them in a time of need. We should salute all those men and women who dedicated their lives to preparing us for the world of work."