News From Fort Schuyler

May 31, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 19

NEW HAT - Long-time Maritime Transportation Department faculty member, PROF. PHILIP R. SMUKLER, has been appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs. A versatile teacher, he has taught a variety of courses to a generation of undergraduate and graduate students at Fort Schuyler. Dr. Smukler, who has a PhD from the New School for Social Research, pursues teaching and research interests in international economics, port economics, and transportation economics, as well as productivity analysis and applied microeconomic theory. A top agenda item for the new VPAA will surely include planning for the next regular accreditation visitation by the Middle States Association which takes place every ten years.

IN JEOPARDY ? Tune your TV to the 'Jeopardy' show on June 3^rd to see if Humanities Department Instructor, RICHARD M. MAGEE, comes out a big winner.

EBB TIDE - News of the quiet and comfortable death at home of EARL E. "WOODY" FORREST, Class of 1947, was circulated on May 27 to his classmates by JOE GERSON: "Our shipmate...has departed for the great Maritime Academy in the Sky. A fine cadet with many varied interests, he graduated from NYSMA with highest honors, receiving a $50 Savings Bond for 'Proficiency in Electricity.' And as the years rolled by, his warmth and friendly personality enveloped all who knew him. Even the Deckhands of '47 drew close to Gene, Earl, 'Woody'...whatevah ! His style and personality no doubt brought him to the post of Senior Vice President of New York Electric and Gas Corporation."

"Woody served as an Engineer aboard two C-3s, S/S MORMACSTAR and MORMACGULF, and on a C-2, S/S ROBIN TUXFORD. On more than one occasion, aboard BOB FRANZBLAU's boat USMTS VICTORY, he regaled us with tales of his days in the Merchant Marine. He loved 'The Academy' and like many of us, credited his success ashore to the nautical education received at NYSMA, and aboard the T/S EMPIRE STATE."

Woody, who died of liver and kidney failure, will be buried at the Lakeview Cemeter in Watkins Glen, NY, his hometown, at 2PM on June 3. Joe writes, "His choice was cremation, a graveside service, and insistence on a 'party' afterward at his home." [For more information call 607-546-2404.]

Joe concludes:"An Officer and a Gentleman .. we snap off a smart salute to our pal, Woody... and the beat goes on ! Checking compasses frequently and steaming smartly as before. Joe 'The Hawk.'"

QUESTION ANSWERED - To the dockside query of LEN SUTTER, Class of 1953, "Wonder what old GEORGE RISER would think of the Cadet who was holding an umbrella ?" came a quick response from FERGIE BYARS, Class of 1939: "Riser would have called him an Agriculturalist."

NEWS FROM FLORIDA - The April issue of "Steaming as Before", the newsletter of the American VICTORY Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship in Tampa, reports that "Captain ROBERT (BOB) VALENTINE, a 1943 graduate of the New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, has been named the S/S AMERICAN VICTORY's Master." According to AVMM&MS President, Captain JOHN TIMMEL, Class of 1981: "Captain Valentine's extensive seafaring and his sharp wit make him a perfect fit as Master. His knowledge of Victory ships and USCG regulations has been an invaluable help to us as we head toward getting the S/S AMERICAN VICTORY ready to steam again."

BE STILL, MY HEART - This news from RODNEY McFADDEN, Class of 1964, our man in Washington, in an e-mail titled, The World is Safe Again: "Everyone can breath a little easier. For the next two years Naval Control of Shipping will be taught by a Schuyler grad, LT. DAVID STILL, Class of 1994, who's the lead instructor in NCS, stationed in Norfolk. Naval Control of Shipping is one of those incredibly important things the Navy does that gets little recognition. It's not quite as sexy as shooting missiles, but the missiles are unlikely to be delivered without it." [Thanks for Rod for the guidance and congratulations to David on this important teaching assignment.]

SHIPPING STUDY DROUGHT - In recent years, the library has been unable to purchase highly regarded (but enormously expensive) shipping industry research and marketing studies such as those published by Drewry Research in England. If any NFFS readers can donate shipping studies and reports published after 1989 please contact the Editor. They would give a big boost to the library collection.

GRAND ENTRANCE - A unique satellite-based chart of SUNY Maritime College now greets visitors to the Luce Library Reading Room. This chart, donated by ROY SOLURI, Class of 1962, is a product of the U.S. National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Roy is Deputy Chief of NIMA's Marine Navigation Department. Made-to-order charts like this one, which combines LANDSAT color images of the Throgs Neck area with nautical charts of the surrounding waters, is an example NIMA's expanding use of the new technologies and its pursuit of new customers. Come and take a look next time you are on campus.