Spring is coming to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Yesterday, in Kings Point, NY, warm weather signaled the oncoming spring. And in Hague's Basin, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen welcomed spring's approach on the waterfront.

I was happy to be there with them to celebrate the renewal that spring promises, and to take part in a town hall meeting with academy students, faculty, and staff.  Renewal was much on all of our minds.

Acting Superintendent Dr. Shashi Kumar and I take questions after the town hall meeting; photo USMMA

A quick search of past blog posts will tell you that I am a big fan of DOT's service academy. Providing a top-notch education to America's merchant mariners is critical for our economy as well as for national security, and the academy remains one of my top priorities.

And that's exactly what I told the faculty, staff, and midshipmen at Kings Point during our town hall. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is home to first-class students.  It provides a first-class education.  And since 2009, we’ve been working tirelessly to ensure that those students have first-class facilities to match.

As part of our commitment, DOT is investing more than $50 million to repair Mallory Pier, fix the campus electrical grid, and renovate Delano Hall, among other critical projects.

At yesterday's town hall; photo USMMA

Mallory Pier is approximately 825' long and capable of handling vessels with 14' drafts for 250' along its southern end. Its good repair is essential for the kind of professional training our midshipmen deserve and our merchant marine requires.  Delano Hall, the midshipmen dining room, is capable of hosting the entire Kings Point regiment, but it is overdue for modernization.  And the electrical system? Well, that hasn't been seriously upgraded since the academy was established in the 1940s. 

Since 2009, we have worked with Congress to secure more than $300 million for the Academy.  That includes $23 million for building renovations last year, the most funding ever secured for physical improvements at the Academy, now being put to work on the projects we announced yesterday.

But we're not stopping there. 

In addition to capital investments, we’re also developing a strategic plan for the academy, one that gathers input from all of the academy's stakeholders to help us ensure the future of Kings Point.  That input starts this week with those who know the campus best--the students who live, work, learn, and train at Kings Point--but during the process, industry, alumni, parents, and community and government leaders will have the chance to share their thoughts.

Dr. Kumar addresses the strategic plan steering committee, photo USMMA

We hope to complete the plan before the start of the next school year.  It will address the Academy’s mission, the needs of our maritime industry, and accreditation expectations.  The process is being led by Acting Superintendent Dr. Shashi Kumar and a steering committee made up primarily of a cross-section of midshipmen, faculty and staff at the Academy, along with a handful of DOT representatives.

I want to thank acting Superintendent Dr. Shashi Kumar for hosting me on campus yesterday. I also want to thank the Kings Point midshipmen, faculty, and staff for their enthusiastic participation in our town hall, and for the input and feedback I know they will provide as we work together to develop the academy's strategic plan.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has seen a lot of changes during the last three years.  Throughout those changes, DOT's commitment to Kings Point has not wavered.  Yesterday, I reaffirmed that commitment.  Together, we will ensure this valued institution strengthens its place as a crown jewel of America’s service academies.

Comments

[P Callahan '79]

Beneath the Throgs Neck Bridge?? When did they move the bridge?

[Jon H Roethke]

Mr. LaHoods' comments are encouraging; but I would like him to comment specifically on what he plans to do about having an Alumnus appointed as Superintendant of the Academy. Accomplishing this would cost very little time and money relatively speaking and would be a tremendous first step in getting Kings Point back on course. Mr. LaHood, please address this specific issue. "Acta Non Verba"! Thank you in advance for your anticipated reply. Jon H Roethke '59

[Todd Offutt, USCG]

Being alumni should not be a prerequisite of Superintendent. In fact, perhaps the Academy needs an OUTSIDE perspective ... from someone who is not wed to the old ways, but has seen the world for what it is--an interconnected, global economy with an abundance of talent, purpose, and innovation. Sure, we are an island nation, but so is much of Asia, Australia, Indonesia, the U.K., etc. It's time for fresh leadership, innovative thinking, and a worldly perspective. Very Respectfully,

[Charles Cumming]

I am not sure from Mr.Offutt's remarks above that he really understands anything about Kings Point. From the time they are cadets on ships, students are provided a world view that few other educational institutions can impart. After graduation, regardless of the segment of the industry in which they employed, they are exposed to a global view of commerce and industry. From that standpoint, the Academy's next superintendent doesn't need an "OUTSIDE perspective." It does, however, need a leader from the industry, and not from the ivy covered halls of academia and not from the train wreck that Marad and DOT have become. That is the "OUTSIDE perspective" that is needed. What better place to begin looking than the ranks of the Academy's alumni?