News From Fort Schuyler

February 16, 2009 - Volume 9, No. 7

SPEAKING OF RELATIVES - The recent Family Ties update prompted KEN MURPHY 68 to write: "It brings back my own memory of visiting the college with my two sons. We had a great time walking the grounds. The ship, EMPIRE STATE VI, was being prepared for its summer cruise and we were allowed aboard. Being an engineering graduate, I naturally headed for the engine room. I was watching both my sons' expressions trying to figure out their responses to what they saw. We were looking down at one of the boiler furnaces when a half dozen cadets crept out of an open burner door. They were all covered with black soot. I noticed that my youngest boy was particularly interested in these dirt covered guys. As it turns out he was the one that decided to attend the school. He now works on aircraft carrier and submarine steam turbines and other equipment aboard vessels. He works from Dresser-Rand as a field engineer. As I write this he is on the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH as part of its sea trial crew. I'm proud of my son and proud of the fact that we got on your list of Fort Families." [Ed. Additions to this exclusive, but open-ended, family ties listing are still coming in.]

ENGAGING PEOPLE - The Valentine's Day issue of the Salem News in Massachusetts announced the engagement of GERIN CHOINIERE 2008 to Julie Sleison. Gerin, who graduated with honors from the deck license program, sails for OGS America. The couple, who will wed on 11 July, met in 2003 when they worked as crew aboard the replica of the slave ship AMISTAD. [As noted in past volumes of NFFS, the construction of this129' schooner replica was coordinated by Mystic Seaport's Shipyard Director, QUENTIN SNEDIKER 72.] (www.salemnews.com/celebrations)

APRIL HONOREES - On the afternoon of 25 April The Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler will recognize ADM. FLOYD "Hoss" MILLER 53 and two maritime humanitarian organizations, Project HOPE and The Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) for their leadership. Adm. Miller, who served as President of the College from 1982 to 1995, will be feted for his role as a founding member of the museum and its first president. SCI, founded in 1834 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, "... is the largest, most comprehensive mariners' agency in North America."(www.seamenschurch.org) Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere), which recently marked 50 years of partnership with the US Navy, "...has delivered a healing hand to children and adults in need in developing countries around the globe." (www.projecthope.org) This benefit is very affordable ($50). All proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships and the Silent Auction will go to the museum's Endowment Fund. For details call 718-409-7218 or check the Maritime Museum link at the college website at www.sunymaritime.edu

FALL HONORS - The college recently published the undergraduate honors list. 131 students made the Admiral's List (3.450 - 4.000 GPA) and 217 were on the Dean's List (2.950 - 3.449 GPA. Well done!

CLASSROOM PIRACY - Responding to RICK BAGSHAW's recent query on training in respect to piracy issues, CAPT JOE AHLSTROM 82, Associate Professor in the Marine Transportation Department, writes: "Here at the Dome we've gone a little beyond anti-piracy techniques. We offer the only undergraduate and graduate course that gives certification in Vessel/Company and Facility Security Officer (MT 435 and TMGMT 8390). We feel a good Vessel Security Plan, coupled with a knowledgeable Vessel and Company Security Officer who will train the crew and prepare the vessel (if necessary), is the best defense against pirates, terrorists and other assorted criminals. The course carries DNV, USCG and MARAD approval. As usual, Schuyler was first and to now the only academy that carriers that certification. Required reading is 'Dangerous Waters', the New York Times Magazine cover story in 2000. Glad to see the other academies are catching up." In addition to Joe's response, VPAA JOSEPH C HOFFMAN 75 sent a summary of the college response to the piracy issue with additional input from ANTHONY PALMIOTTI 79, Chairman of the Marine Transportation Department, ERNIE FINK 75, Chairman of Professional Education and Training, DR. LARRY HOWARD, Chairman of the Global Business and Transportation Department, and PROF JEFF WEISS 78, of the graduate department faculty. Dr. Howard noted that: "At the Groundhog Day Event, our GBAT Conference on Cutting-Edge Issues in Shipping, Professor Weiss presented on 'Impact of Somali Attacks on Shipping and Chartering.' The lecture hall was filled and the presentation well-received. In fact, GBAT is scheduling a symposium on piracy Thursday, April 16th. We are calling it 'In Hot Pursuit of Pirates.' Jeff and I will be organizing the symposium around the international legal aspects of the contemporary challenge posed by pirates." Finally, Dr. Hoffman reported that DR. ELISSA DeFALCO, Humanities Department, is "... creating a course on the history of piracy (her doctoral dissertation was on pirates)."

THE SCHUYLER EXPERIENCE - At the Fort Schuyler Maritime Alumni Association dinner on January 29, its president, DICK BRACKEN 56 spoke about the 'whys' of membership in the association - pegging it to three reasons: tradition, pride and loyalty. Here's what he said about the third: "And finally, Loyalty. There it is, emblazoned on our school seal. How did we build that kind of loyalty that lasts our entire lives, that loyalty to each other that we learned at Fort Schuyler? That is not part of the culture of a 'normal' college. We are not normal! We are unique! My ultimate compliment to a grad is, 'You are a real Fort Schuyler guy', even applying that title to our outstanding women grads. 'You are a real Fort Schuyler guy.' It means that you are a person of INTEGRITY, the hallmark of our graduates. It means that you do what you say you are going to do. And, in the end, it means that the friends you make at this school are friends FOR LIFE.....Just ask the guys from the Classes of 1946 and 1947 who are still paying their dues. Why?"

EBB TIDE - ANTON J MULLER '55, died October 22, 2008 at the age of 75. Tony, who suffered from ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) was know best in his later years as the beloved Harbor Master of Magnolia Harbor in Glouster, MA. After graduating from Fort Schuyler he served in the US Navy aboard the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS TRATHEN. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, three sons and a daughter.

EDWARD HOGSTROM '42, died September 22, 2008. He last resided in Kimberton, PA, not far from Valley Forge.

JACK WUBBENHORST Jan 44 died June 24, 2007 at the age of 83 at New Port Richey, FL.