News From Fort Schuyler

November 11, 2000 - Volume 4, No. 35

ADMIRAL BROWN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS - College President DAVID C. BROWN, has informed the Maritime College community that he intends to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 academic year, following seven years as president. According to his memo, dated November 2, a search for his successor can begin once College Council vacancies are filled by Governor Pataki and a search committee appointed. According to an accompanying letter from SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King: "I am grateful for David Brown's ongoing service as President of the College and appreciate the advance notice of his plans. President Brown can take special pride in which will be a four-decade record of service to our state and nation....I would anticipate a presidential transition at the start of the 2001-2002 academic year. At the time I will ask Admiral Brown to assist with one or more University initiatives and I understand he will take a one-semester sabbatical leave for which he is eligible under University rules." Chancellor King also wrote: "Let me note that it is not our intention to recommend the appointment of an interim leader, but rather to have President Brown serve until the State University Board of Trustees appoints a successor."

EBB TIDE - News of the death of ROGER H. EVANS, Class of 1938, was sent by his son, Richard, Class of 1965. Mr. Evans died from a massive heart attack on October 27, weeks before his 83rd birthday. His son writes that: "After graduating from NYSMMA, he sailed with United States Lines, eventually becoming a Chief/First Engineer on the SS AMERICAN SHIPPER."

E-BOOKS ARRIVE AT SCHUYLER - Students, faculty and staff connected to the campus network (or visit the Luce Library) can register for their free netLibrary accounts. As a participant in SUNYConnect, the college now has access to over 800 titles in reference, computer science, medicine and health - as well as to 3,000 more titles in the public domain. Once registered, your account can be accessed by using any computer in the world that has web access. If you are on campus go to the Maritime College home page ( http://www.sunymaritime.edu ) find the Library homepage and click on "Create a netLibrary account." [BTW - Anyone with a valid New York Public Library card (available to all residents of New York STATE, including students) can access NYPL's netLibrary collection by going to http://www.nypl.org and clicking on "Electronic Resources" where you will find an icon for "netLibrary" on the left.]

SALUTING [IN] THE MERCHANT MARINE - BOB ALLEN, Class of 1954, sailed aboard the SS UNITED STATES as a relief third mate in the 1960's and recalls that the practice of saluting was strictly enforced. He asks when the saluting ritual on the Big U originated ? He wonders if it was always the practice for bridge offices to salute aboard the UNITED STATES, or was it up to the current Master of the ship ? What about other ships ? According to Bob's experience in the merchant marine, requiring bridge deck officers to salute was not the norm in those days.

USS COLE PHOTOS - There are some fascinating photographs of the USS COLE at the Alumni Association web site. These pictures, many of which are in a PowerPoint presentation, show the COLE being floated aboard the heavy lift ship BLUE MARLIN to begin her voyage back to the United States for repairs. Go to http://www.fsmaa.org

CLASSROOM VISIT - Several faculty have gone digital at Maritime and taken their students along with them. For one example, take a look at Engineering 421 (Facilities Design and Management I) at the http://www.Blackboard.com website. The course is taught by ANTHONY IMPELLUSO, Class of 1979. To see the course, go to the student section on the lower left of the Blackboard's home page and type in "E421". Then on the next page scroll down to the second course listing and press the "Preview" option where you get a good idea of how it works - and how rigorous a course it is, too.

AUTHOR TO VISIT MARITIME - According to Library Lecture Program impressario, JOHN LEE, the author of the Blair Witch Project, DAVID STERN, will be the featured speaker at a free lecture on November 14. "The Bible to the Blair Witch: Explaining the Supernatural in Everyday Life," presented by the Library, Humanities Department and Regimental Office, will take place at 2000 in the S&E Lecture Hall of Marvin-Tode Science-Engineering Building. (Just to get everyone in the mood, there will be a showing of the film, Blair Witch Project, on Monday, November 13 at the Library A/V Room, commencing at 1800.)

LACROSSE TEAM has a home page now, hosted off-campus, but with all kinds of bells and whistles: scores, schedule, photographs, even music and weather. The team is at: http://www.eteamz.com/nymclacrosse/

ANOTHER WALL OF FAME - Freeport (NY) High School recently unveiled its Alumni Academic Wall of Fame. One of the ten alumni honored was past Maritime College President, ADM. FLOYD H. MILLER, Class of 1953. He joins sports writer Dick Schaap, Lotus 1-2-3 designer Mitchell Kapor, and other Freeport High School stand-outs on this wall of luminaries.

ADDRESS UPDATE - Word from AL AYMER, Class of 1967, that his new email address is drdoltl@myexcel.com