Webb News: Summer 2015

Webb News Webb Institute Magazine

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summer 2015

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Vol.27

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issue.1

Ronald K. Kiss ‘63 Award At Homecoming President Emeritus receives Honorary Doctor of Science Degree at Homecoming

End of an era

The Webb Family says farewell to Professor Edwin Wiggins and Dean Rick Neilson ‘70 as they head off to retirement

Rocket Cases and...Naval Architects? www.webb.edu

Eugene Schorsch ‘52 writes about an interesting project he worked on while at Sun Ship in the 1960s

in this issue Summer 2015 | Vol. 27 | Issue 1

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From the President

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119th Webb Commencement

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End of an Era

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New Dean Named at Webb Institute

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New Professors at Webb

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Homecoming 2015: Ronald K. Kiss ‘63 Award

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Clear Skies and Smooth Sailing: Founder’s Day

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Rocket Boosters and...Naval Architects?

CONTRIBUTORS

12-13 The Dean’s Corner - Final Edition 14

Zeien Lectures - Double Edition

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Winter Gatherings

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Class of 2016 at OTC

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Dates of Interest

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S.O. President Message: Saying Goodbye to the Best Four Years

R. Keith Michel ‘73 President Richard P. Neilson ‘70 Dean & professor of naval architecture Graphic Design & Layout: Kerri Allegretta Director of media relations & communications

19-23 Campus News 24

Webb Alumni Fund - Class Agent Forum 2015

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Alumni Spotlight: From Underwater to the Edge of Space and Return - Dr. Joseph A. Schetz ‘58

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Alumni Association Report: Exciting Changes

Supervising Editor: Gailmarie Sujecki (Hon.) executive assistant to the president & Director of alumni relations Editors: Dr. Richard C. Harris Assistant Dean & Director of Humanities

27-28 In Memoriam 29-37 Alumni News - Class Notes 38

Heritage Society: The Two Youngest Members Speak Out

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The Word on Webb

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Mission Statement

To prepare graduates for prominent careers by: Providing a rigorous education in the principles of engineering and a broad-based knowledge of the fundamentals of naval architecture and marine engineering.

Developing skills that will enable graduates to become leaders in and make significant contributions to their chosen profession, and to the social environment in which it functions.

Instilling in our graduates the highest ethical standards and sense of professionalism; cultivating curiosity in the arts, sciences, and humanities, and providing the background and encouragement necessary to support life-long learning.

Perpetuating the legacy of William H. Webb 2

Josie Wilson (Hon.) Registrar & Assistant to the Dean & Faculty Editorial Contributors: Kerri Allegretta Brent J. Morrison ‘11 Zach Backas ‘16 Bill Murray Katie Becker Richard P. Neilson ‘70 Nolan Conway ‘15 Jake Neuman ‘93 Hampton Dixon ‘11 Dr. Joseph A. Schetz ‘58 Alex Hanford ‘15 Gene Schorsch ‘52 Dr. Richard C. Harris Gailmarie Sujecki (Hon.) Andrew Ko ‘16 Barr Turner ‘17 Jennifer Kollmer ‘91 Matthew Weklar ‘15 R. Keith Michel ‘73 Josie Wilson (Hon.) Photo Contributors: Kerri Allegretta Anthony Pizziatolla TJ Brackin ‘16 Kelly O’Brien ‘16 Kate Chaffee ‘16 Gailmarie Sujecki (Hon.) Webb News is published semi-annually in the summer and the winter by: Webb Institute, 298 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542-1398 www.webb.edu

Webb News - Summer 2015

From the President Graduation was a resounding success although it is with some reluctance that I watched the twenty graduating seniors set sail for their next great adventure. What an extraordinary group they are! Three are off to graduate schools in Europe and U.S. Others took jobs in companies representing a wide range of the marine industries, launching their careers in shipping, ship construction, commercial and naval ship design, offshore engineering, marine software development, and salvage. One graduating senior even chose to specialize in waste management, joining the logistics department in the largest provider of environmental solutions in North America. I think the diversity of these jobs speaks well to the breadth and depth of the Webb education. As has been the case for over a century, Webb graduates are well prepared to excel in whatever paths they may choose.

As has been the case for over a century, Webb graduates are well prepared to excel in whatever path they may choose.

This graduation class is distinguished by the exceptional leadership skills of its members. I have the utmost confidence they will make us proud, both in their technical careers and through their involvement in their respective communities. They are strong academically but of equal importance, their achievements extend beyond the classroom. At Webb, they were engaged in frequent services projects in the surrounding communities; established STEM and engineering days at Webb for K-12 students; initiated the FIRST Robotics scholarship program which has proven to be an excellent recruitment tool; and lectured at local high schools on engineering and naval architecture.

As we watch such a wonderful group of seniors depart, it is reassuring to know that the pipeline is being refreshed. We have twenty-six incoming freshmen, including seven women. Their academic accomplishments are consistent with recent classes, with excellent SAT scores and high class rankings.

The class includes a young woman who is a California ocean lifeguard, another who scored over 1,000 points and took down over 1,000 rebounds in her high school basketball career, and one who has written two novels.

They are a musically inclined class. The incoming freshmen have excelled in a variety of sports, including rowing, skiing, sailing, and competitive badminton. On August 17th we welcome them all to four of the best years of their lives.

Student activities continue to be an important

R. Keith Michel ‘73 President part of Webb life. Our students participate in five intercollegiate sports, numerous service projects over the course of the year, and attend cultural events in New York City. However, the rigor of the academic program remains a hallmark of the Webb experience. No one graduates from Webb without putting in the effort.

Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., CEO of Crowley Maritime, gave an inspiring commencement address to our graduates.

In speaking about commitment and the importance of hard work, Tom shared a story about how his grandfather would row out to the Farallon Islands to meet the incoming sailing ships, as being first in line gave him a competitive advantage when selling his services and wares. I had to remind our students that rowing from San Francisco Bay to the Farallons is the same as rowing from Webb to Manhattan except that you are transiting the open ocean. So next time they are feeling out of sorts after an all-nighter or two, they should just remember Mr. Crowley and the blisters on his hands. Hard work pays dividends!

Peggy and I are pleased that so many alumni have visited campus over the past year. Please remember– you are always welcome. If you can give us advance notice before you arrive, that is great. But if not, do not hesitate to come by the president’s office. On weekends, just knock on the door of the president’s house. We are always pleased to spend time with you!

President R. Keith and Peggy Michel finishing up Webb’s first 5K with students and their dog, Boss.

Webb News - Summer 2015

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119th Webb Commencement Congratulations to the Class of 2015

On Saturday, June 20th, 20 of our finest Webbies were awarded a bachelor of science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering.

This year, Webb honored Mr. Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Crowley Maritime (Oakland, CA), with an Honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science degree. He was also the principal speaker, stating, “Wall Street has Harvard, Silicon Valley has Stanford and the Maritime Industry has Webb Institute.”

The student farewell was presented by Nolan Conway. His heartfelt words were obvious when it came to his class – “Thank all of you. As I tell other people, the most special thing about Webb is the people. At Webb you do not choose your friends.

You are given them. This dynamic has made the 19 of you more like my family than friends. Yes we fight, and at times we do not get along, but in the end, as a class we always stand together. I take great pride in that.” He finally added, “This is not a farewell address; this is a time to pause and remember our happiest memories together. This is just a small piece of our group’s journey. This is a time for us to celebrate and look forward to our future adventures.”

The WooFS performed the National Anthem and following the ceremony, the Navy Hymn. The recessional song, chosen by the graduating class was “Hooked on a Feeling,” performed by Blue Swede.

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President R. Keith Michel ‘73, with Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., and Dr. George Campbell, Jr.

Webb News - Summer 2015

Post Graduation Plans Michael Chen: Considering options Nolan Conway: Resolve Marine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Satchel Douglas: Bruce S. Rosenblatt & Associates, Oakland, CA Matthew Gianforcaro: Gianforcaro Architects, Engineers & Planners, Chester, NJ Zachary Gilfus: Stevens Institute of Technology, MEng Ocean Engineering, Hoboken, NJ Alexander Hanford: Herbert Engineering Corporation, Alameda, CA Stefan Kuczera: Technip USA, Inc., Houston, TX Christopher Licato: Herbert-ABS Software Solutions, Alameda, CA Erin McElroy: ExxonMobil Development Company, Houston, TX Clarence O’Connor: SeaRiver Maritime, Houston, TX Cody Owen: European Wind Energy Masters in Offshore Engineering Track; DTU, TU Delft, NTNU, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway Alexandra Pitti: Considering options Gabriel Poritz: Graduate school at Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ), Zurich, Switzerland Benjamin Rockwell: Vard Marine, Houston, TX Andrew Thompson: Bruce S. Rosenblatt & Associates, Oakland, CA Tyler Totten: Computer Sciences Corp., Advanced Marine, Wash. DC Daniel Turoff: Kirby Corporation, Houston, TX Matthew Weklar: Marinette Marine Corporation, Green Bay, WI Evan Wingfield: Shipwright LLC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Wesley Yland: Waste Management, Houston, TX

Thesis Titles Alex Hanford: The Effect of a Hydrofoil on Catamaran Seakeeping Performance Cody Owen & Michael Chen: Common Shipboard Material Testing at Various Temperatures Alexandra Pitti: An Economic and Environmental Comparison of Diesel and Natural Gas Fueling for Tugs Evan Wingfield & Andy Thompson: Analysis of Gas Fuel for an Electronically Timed High-Speed Diesel Engine Clarence O’Connor & Christopher Licato: Retrofitting TAPS Trade Tankers: A Design and Feasibility Study of Various Emissions Reduction Technologies Wesley Yland & Gabe Poritz: Big Data Methods for Reducing Operating Costs at Stolt Tankers B.V. Stefan Kuczera & Zachary Gilfus: An Analysis of Stiffened Aluminum Panels Under Tension Ben Rockwell & Erin McElroy: Design of Bulbous Bows for Motion Reduction on Offshore Support Vessels Satchel Douglas, Nolan Conway, & Matt Weklar: Design, Building, and Testing of a Trans-Atlantic Autonomous Sailboat Dan Turoff: Pleasure Boat Stability: Simple Test Procedure Tyler Totten: Calm Water Tests on an Independently Stable Trimaran Hullform Matthew Gianforcaro: Classification Societies and Their Role in the Marine Industry: An In-Depth Review of the CSR Software

Awards and Prizes Keeler Memorial Prize higest average in mathematics Andrew H. Thompson Samuel D. McComb Memorial Prize second highest junior & senior average Erin M. McElroy Richard A. Partanen Humanities Award Erin M. McElroy Curran Memorial Prize for most outstanding & consistent scholastic improvement Erin M. McElroy Lewis Nixon Memorial Prize for excellence of a thesis in naval architecture Erin M. McElroy & Benjamin T. Rockwell J. Lewis Luckenbach Memorial Prize highest general average in four-year course Christopher R. Licato Chaffee Memorial Prize best all around record Nolan B. Conway SeaRiver Maritime Award for Excellence in Engineering Design Stefan F. Kuczera American Bureau of Shipping Prize highest junior & senior average Stefan F. Kuczera Stevenson Taylor Memorial Prize for excellence of a thesis in any field Zachary J. Gilfus & Stefan F. Kuczera Patrick S. Matrascia Good Shipmate Award Matthew B. Weklar Paul E. Atkinson Memorial Prize in Ethics for ethical behavior Satchel B. Douglas Connecticut Maritime Education Foundation Scholarship demonstrating academic excellence with intent to pursue a career in the maritime industry Satchel B. Douglas & Gabriel A. Poritz Charles A. Ward, Jr., Memorial Awards highest average in naval architecture curriculum Christopher R. Licato second highest average in naval architecture curriculum Satchel B. Douglas

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End of an Era

By Josie Wilson

The Webb Family says farewell to Professor Edwin Wiggins and Dean Rick Neilson ‘70 as they head off for Retirement

“It has been my privilege to spend 28 years teaching students with a genuine thirst for knowledge and the intellectual ability to absorb it at an amazing pace.”

- Professor Ed Wiggins

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On Saturday, June 13, a retirement reception in the Cuneo Courtyard and dinner in the Visconti Reception Room was held at Webb for Professor Ed Wiggins and Dean Richard (Rick) Neilson ‘70. Ed joined the Webb faculty as Dean and Professor of Science in the fall of 1987. In 2000, Ed was named the second Mandell and Lester Rosenblatt Professor of Marine Engineering. Ed said at the reception, “It has been my privilege to spend 28 years teaching students with a genuine thirst for knowledge and the intellectual ability to absorb it at an amazing pace.” Rick is a 1970 graduate of Webb. He also taught naval architecture courses at Webb from 1979 to 1987. He returned one more time to Webb as Dean in 2011 after retiring from ABS. Rick spoke of how this last time at Webb, “the experience has outshone the anticipation. It seems it is over much too soon.” He reminded all those in attendance, “I could not have done anything for any of you without what Mr. Webb did for me. We need to repay him. We are his professional descendants, we few, we happy few, we band of brothers and sisters….do good and give back.”

President Michel presented both gentlemen with Webb chairs and Webb blankets. The Webb Student Organization gave them framed drawings of ships. Ed was given the Russian steam corvette Japanese, and Rick was given the drawing of the Dunderberg.

After the reception, the faculty and staff gathered in the Visconti Reception Room for dinner. The Webb Family singers (WooFS), started the evening out with their rousing rendition of “Wangol” that Webb News - Summer 2015

they had performed at Homecoming. Following that, and with Rick’s adoration of anything Billy Joel-oriented, the WooFS performed Billy Joel’s song “The Ballad of Billy the Kid” with words rewritten by Josie Wilson and titled changed to “The Ballad of Ricky the Kid.” After dinner, the administration and faculty gave gifts to Ed and Rick.

With Ed’s proclivity for wearing seasonal related ties and suspenders throughout the academic year, it was realized that Ed did not own a set of Webb Institute suspenders! This was remedied with a gift to Ed for his very own Webb Institute suspenders. He was given a gift certificate to a restaurant that has jazz concerts and spending money for his trips to visit his grandchildren. Rick was given a fishing rod and gift certificate to outfit the fishing rod with all the equipment needed to fish off the pier at his new home on the Chesapeake Bay. Watch the entire event on our Webb Institute Vimeo channel!

“I could not have done anything for any of you without what Mr. Webb did for me. We need to repay him. We are his professional descendants, we few, we happy few, we band of brothers and sisters….do good and give back.”

The student Jazz band started the festivities off during the reception in Cuneo Courtyard.

Webb News - Summer 2015

- Dean Rick Neilson ‘70

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New Dean Named at Webb Institute

by Professor Richard Harris

On Friday, April 3rd, President Michel announced that Professor Matt Werner has been selected to be the next Dean of Webb Institute.

Matt is a 1995 graduate of Webb and a 1997 graduate of our former masters program. Professor Werner will assumed the position on July 1, 2015, following the retirement of Dean Rick Neilson.

The search committee consisted of six members: President Michel, Dean Neilson, Assistant Dean Harris, and former Deans Compton, Wiggins, and Hadler. Matt’s appointment

was strongly endorsed by all members of the committee.

Matt brings to the position extensive experience in service to the Institute, having taken a leadership role in our ABET accreditation process for many years. He is highly regarded on campus for his collegiality, his love of teaching, and his commitment to our students.

Webb has a long tradition of outstanding Deans who over the years have been instrumental in advancing our reputation for academic excellence, accessibility of faculty, and high ethical standards. We have the utmost confidence that Matt will serve with distinction in his new role, as he builds upon the accomplishments of his predecessors.

Please join me in congratulating Matt!

His e-mail address is: mwerner@webb.edu

Matt joins the past Deans and Assistant Deans of Webb during Dean Neilson’s and Ed Wiggins’ Retirement Party.

Left to Right: Tom Bond ‘45, Larry Ward PG ‘51, Bruce Stephan, Jacques Hadler, Rick Neilson ‘70, Richard Harris, Roger Compton ‘61, Ed Wiggins, and Matthew Werner ‘95 & PG ‘97.

New Professors at Webb Webb Institute is pleased to announce John C. Daidola as the Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering and Michael T. Martin as the Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering.

Dr. Daidola joined Webb in January 2015 after a forty-year career as a structural engineer.

His early experience was as John C. Daidola Design Engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and as Chief Naval Architect at Storm-Master Boat Corporation. He was employed for 28 years at M. Rosenblatt & Son, Inc., where he worked as Senior Vice President and Engineering Branch Manager. For the last fifteen years he worked at

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the AMSEC LLC, serving as Senior Vice President and Commercial Operations Manager.

Dr. Daidola’s teaching experience spans over ten years, where he has taught at Stevens Institute of Technology and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Mr. Martin will join the Webb faculty this fall with 24 years of experience as Senior Electrical Engineer in a number of reputable marine companies Michael T. Martin including M. Rosenblatt & Son, Inc. and AMSEC LLC. For the past five years he worked as the Vice President and Principal Electrical Engineer at Marine Design Dynamics, Inc. For more information about either professor, please visit the Faculty page at www.webb.edu/faculty.

Webb News - Summer 2015

Ronald K. Kiss ‘63 & President Emeritus is Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree at Homecoming On Saturday, May 16, 2015, over 220 alumni gathered at Webb for Homecoming 2015. The cloudy weather did not prevent the guests from enjoying the usual Homecoming activities including the disc golf tournament and lawn games. The afternoon also included an impromptu administration, alumni, children of alumni, and seniors vs. the underclassmen soccer match, which resulted in a tie of 5-5.

Vincent Commisso ‘18, Chase Geschwilm ‘18, Tyler Gray-Hoehn ‘18, Chris Johnson ‘18, Kevin Prichard ‘18, Joseph Gargiulo ‘17, and Ian Lawson ‘17 graciously presented their experiences from winter work to a large group of alumni in the Henry Auditorium. This event is always a draw, especially considering how global the student experiences have become. The WooFS gave a beautiful performance in the reception room immediately following the barbecue luncheon.

The Classes of 1950, 1955, 1970, 1975, 1990, and 1995 all pulled together groups for reunion celebrations.

200 guests in attendance for the bestowing of the Honorary Doctorate to Ron Kiss ‘63

Homecoming 2015 closed in a very special way this year with over 200 guests in attendance for the bestowing of an Honorary Doctorate to Ron Kiss ‘63, prior to a beautiful dinner served under the tent on the first terrace. The honorary degree is the highest degree that Webb grants and is earned through a lifetime of achievement.

With the usual “Pomp and Circumstance” playing in the background, the President, Chairman of the Board, Dean and President Emeritus marched across the patio, arriving under the tent filled with Kiss’s loving family, most of his classmates, and many other admirers in attendance who were there to honor this most deserving gentleman.

During Dr. Kiss’s heartfelt remarks, he mentioned no greater love than for his Family, Country, and Webb!

Watch the entire speech on the Webb Vimeo channel!

Class of 1955 graduates

Class of 1963 graduates

Class of 1970 graduates

Class of 1995 graduates

Webb News - Summer 2015

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Clear Skies and Smooth Sailing Founder’s Day 2015

Founder’s Day 2015 was notable for several reasons.

First, the observance was moved from the traditional first Friday in April to the first Friday in May. Last year’s cold, which prevented our undertaking a number of projects, especially planting on campus, led to a decision to put the date back a month. Thankfully, the weather cooperated this year, and we had a nice day for working.

Student Organization President Matt Weklar and Social Committee chair Erin McElroy organized the activities, which Fernando Tamayo and his crew made possible with their help. The day’s activities were filmed by Anthony Pizziatolla, and still photos were taken by Kelly O’Brien and Kerri Allegretta. The celebration began with Professor Harris reading the 1894 testimonial of the shipwrights of New York, who praised Mr. Webb’s generosity and “spirit of disinterested benevolence,” followed by all hands around the fountain for several quaint Webb cheers, and a hearty “1, 2, 3, Webb!”

Dinner that evening was marked by the ceremonial cutting of the cake by the oldest alum present, Professor Emeritus Tom Bond ‘45, and the youngest current Webbie, Andy Panek ‘18. President Michel recognized 10

all the work groups. The highlight of the day was the Founder’s Day speech, which this year was given by Dean Rick Neilson ‘70, who retired this July. S.O. President Matt Weklar presented Dean Neilson with a beautiful plaque made by freshmen Andrew Vogeler, with the Dean’s immortal words, “Ships are neat!”

Founder’s Day 2015 was pretty neat too.

Dean Neilson ‘70 receiving his “Ships are Neat” plaque.

Webb News - Summer 2015

Rocket Cases and...Naval Architects?

By Eugene Schorsch ‘52

Sputnik, beeping as it orbited the earth, shocked Americans in 1957. The Cold War was at a peak.

President Kennedy was elected in November 1960. In May 1961 he set the nation on a goal to land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. The first unmanned cryogenic-liquid-fueled Saturn I rocket of 1.5 million pounds of thrust was launched in October 1961.

Later manned Apollo flights were powered into orbit by the Saturn V booster, a cluster of five liquid engines, with a combined 7.5 million pounds of thrust.

The military rockets of the day, instantly ready, were solid rockets, Polaris and Minuteman among them.

Looking ahead, USAF and NASA sought a single solid rocket booster, instantly ready, of 7.5 million pounds of thrust, to replace Saturn V and began a competition among rocket builders.

In early 1963 an unexpected visitor appeared at Sun Ship and, introduced to Gene Schorsch ‘52, explained that his company, Aerojet General, was looking for a shipyard subcontractor to build a half-length solid fuel rocket case of 3.3 million pounds of thrust to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing the Saturn V. The case would be some 22 feet in diameter and some 12 stories tall. The rocket case would require shipment via the intercoastal waterway to Florida. Gene showed the visitor the Sun Ship facilities and conferred with his boss, Charlie Zeien ‘50, Vice President-Engineering, and Paul E. Atkinson ‘42, President of Sun Ship.

The rocket case was to be built of maraging steel whose yield strength could be varied from 175,000 to 250,000 psi by discreet variation of its chemical content. Sun learned that toughness was an inverse function of strength and an important consideration in control of fabrication flaw size. Sun built a 280” diameter case from ordinary shipbuilding mild steel in a demonstration that, if awarded the subcontract, the shipyard could build the huge case without utilizing the clips, dogs, and tack welding common to shipbuilding and with special tooling could fabricate the case with a minimum of flaws. Sun also favored Aerojet’s choice of 200,000 psi yield steel over competitor Thiokol’s choice of 250,000 psi yield material. Aerojet selected Sun Ship and Thiokol selected Newport News, and the demonstration competition began.

Gene was named Manager of the new Rocket Fabrication Division which hired aerospace tool designers, metallurgists, PhDs in several disciplines, converted a shop into a clean environment, purchased the then two largest welding manipulators and other equipment. All welding utilized TIG (tungsten inert gas) down hand welding. Down hand welding of the rocket cases was

done some 30 feet above the shop floor.

Early in the effort, indeed on the day that the proposal was due at Aerojet General, Charlie Garland ‘58, joined the effort. Before he was signed in by the Personnel Department and Paymaster, Gene put Charlie to work on the feverish task of meeting the proposal deadline. The next day Charlie Garland officially joined the Photo courtesy of Sun Ship. company. He became an outstanding metallurgist and supervisor, to the point where the Superintendent of the shipyard’s heavy machine shop, on seeing Charlie approaching, would say affectionately, “Here comes latent defects.” Smiley Burnett x’52 joined the team charged with overseeing that all lifts and transport met quality control requirements.

To heat treat the maraging steel case, Sun Ship designed and built a segmented ring furnace 30 feet in diameter and 95 feet tall. Gas fired through a heat exchanger, the working zone of the furnace was clean air preventing combustion products from contacting the maraging steel. The huge volume of the furnace was able to hold a temperature of 900 +15/-15 degrees for nine hours.

Sun also designed and built a hydrotest stand which also served as a boring mill at the top where the interference fit flange to mate with the maraging steel nozzle, also built by Sun Ship, was machined. A discarded ship’s tail shaft served as the tool bit holder for the boring mill. The height of that machining was the same as the restaurant floor in the arch at LA airport!

For hydrotest the case was filled with180,000 gallons of water and pressurized to 737 +5/-0 psi for 2 minutes, simulating the actual intended rocket firing.

Sun built two cases which were shipped to Florida. Both were statically fired face down in a 250 foot test hole.

One case was refueled and fired twice. The three firings were totally successful.

This is an abbreviated account of an achievement whose success its leadership squarely attributed to the foresight of William H. Webb.

Anyone with questions is welcome to send them to Gene at eschorsch@gmail.com.

Webb News - Summer 2015

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The dean’s corner - Final Edition By now you are all aware that Professor Matt Werner has executed a successful coup d’état and will be the next Dean of Webb Institute. That explains why he was spending so much time last semester in my office with a measuring tape. I wish him all the good fortune and support I have been given in my time here. I’m sure he will do a great job. When Roger Compton retired, I had some very big shoes to fill. Matt has the advantage of only having to fill a raggedy pair of flip flops.

So, that makes me the Lame Duck Dean.

There are many things I’ll miss about this job. One of the most rewarding times is when the students return from winter work. The freshmen have not only seen, many for the first time, how complex a process it is to build a boat or ship, but they have grown in so many ways. The terms they were introduced to in their Introduction to Naval Architecture course now roll off their tongues because they have lived with these things, and the experience has reinforced their desire for more. They have also learned what it is like to get up in the cold, dark morning, get their own breakfast, work a full day, shop for their own groceries, and generally take care of themselves. The sophomores come back rough, tough sailors who have seen the world and know what it is like to be at sea. We even were affected by the longshoremen’s strike on the west coast, not knowing for sure when ships would arrive or depart, but managed to weather that situation without serious mishap. That, in itself, is a learning experience. The juniors and seniors return from their professional positions closer to being colleagues than students. I will miss the excitement of that first week back in the spring, and all the stories that are told, very, very much.

Meanwhile things continue to move along here. The juniors have again chosen a wide range of vessels for their Ship Design I projects: a polar icebreaker, a salvage/diving support liftboat, a high-speed ferry to Ibiza, a low-cost harbor patrol boat for third-world countries, a Mini-Maxi 72 offshore racing boat, and a pipe-laying vessel. The latter may be the most complex vessel the students have tackled in my experience here, and we are all learning a lot. These vessel choices indicate the breadth of industry interest of our students, and it is important to continue to encourage that. I have made an effort to not only identify appropriate industry mentors for the various vessel types but also help the students find opportunities to further their knowledge and expand their professional networks. With the help of Admiral Olsen, the icebreaker group was able to ride an icebreaking tug on the upper Hudson River, then out to Michigan to ride the USCGC Mackinaw on the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, the Mackinaw was diverted to aid an ice-bound vessel, but they were able to spend a brief time on another cutter. The liftboat group attended the one-day meeting of the American Salvage Association in Stamford, Connecticut, and was able to gather valuable information for their design, and the Ferry group

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was able to attend the Ferry Safety and Technology conference in New York City and make many contacts. Two members of the ferry design team will make the ultimate sacrifice Richard Neilson ‘70 during Spring Dean Break and ride the Barcelona to Ibiza ferry to gain first-hand knowledge of the clientele. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. I hope future juniors will be able to make similar trips to further their professional knowledge.

This is “thesis emotion” season. The seniors are starting to panic over failed testing equipment and onrushing deadlines and the juniors are experiencing growing excitement over their choices of thesis topics for next year. We do our best to calm the seniors down and rein the juniors in. I have great confidence the senior theses will be successfully completed, and the faculty will help the juniors identify a workable scope for their projects.

We continue to arrange an eclectic group of very accomplished speakers for the Monday Lecture Series.

We started with a repeat visit from Mark Meirowitz of SUNY Maritime, who spoke on Constitutional Law and the Separation of Church and State, then Gerhardt Muller, well-known in the industry, who addressed Logistics and the Future of Shipping. They were followed by Dawn Riley of the Oakcliff Sailing Center and America’s Cup fame who discussed her outstanding career in sailing, and Charles Southall, Chief Engineer at HII–Newport News Shipbuilding to discuss the importance of engineering as a career. Our last two speakers were architect Paul Bentel on Maritime Architectural Preservation and Brian (Puck) MacInnes, professional sailor, to talk about his experiences in offshore racing. Quite a group. We also had two Zeien lectures this semester: the first by Mike Petters, President and CEO of Huntington-Ingalls Industries who talked about the challenges of managing a major company; the second by Congressman Steve Israel who discussed the major issues facing the United States in the next decade. In both cases the students distinguished themselves with the quality of their questions following the initial presentations.

The students maintain their enthusiasm and energy.

Founder’s Day was a great success. It is heartwarming to see the students throw themselves into campus projects in partial repayment of Mr. Webb’s generosity. The dinner that evening was, again, delicious and was barely spoiled by the

Webb News - Summer 2015

surprising choice of the Founder’s Day speaker–me. I was truly honored to be asked to speak at Founder’s Day. Sports continue to take on a therapeutic role at Webb. The volleyball team is actually competitive this year and has guaranteed they will not suffer a winless season. The tennis team carries on led, by Pat Doherty, who makes sure matches are fun, win or lose, and the sailing team has enjoyed their normal successful season.

When one is coming to the end of a journey, milestones become very important. Over the last year, Denise and I have noted many “last times”; some are celebrations, some filled with melancholy, but all are part of the process of completion. We want to maintain contact, and we certainly plan on coming back, but it is time for good-byes. As the days dwindle down to a precious few, Denise and I find we have so many things we still want to do and so many people to thank, we hardly know where to begin.

To the parents of the students, thank you for loaning me your children for a while. They have helped me grow.

To those friends in the industry who have responded to my many requests for help in obtaining work-term positions for the students and to serve as mentors for Ship Design projects, thank you.

To the adjunct faculty, thank you for bringing ideas and enthusiasm to the campus along with your expert knowledge.

To the staff, thank you for your patience and support as we wrestle with our administrative duties. To Josie, a special

thanks for the help in keeping me on task every day.

To the kitchen staff, thank you for your cheerfulness and the extra pounds I now lug around.

To the maintenance and facilities staff: Fernando, Mario, Javier, Victor, Julian, Andrew, Marcial, Rosa, and Emma, thank you for the tender care you have shown us. We are truly grateful.

To our neighbors, Keith and Peggy and John and Leslie, thank you for being our friends.

And to the faculty and lab technicians, I do know what you do every day and how much you care about the students, about each other, and about the continued legacy of Webb Institute.

All of you are responsible for carrying on Mr. Webb’s dream.

As for me, old Deans never die, they just retire to a home on the water.

Denise and I are headed for the Northern Neck of Virginia to enjoy the land of pleasant living.

So may you all find your land of pleasant living.

Thank you. - Rick ‘70 and Denise Neilson

Webb News - Summer 2015

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Zeien Lectures: Double Double edition

By Richard Harris Director & Professor of Humanities/ Assistant Dean

Mr. Mike Petters of Huntington Ingalls Industries Presents Career Advice Mr. Mike Petters, President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, was the seventeenth speaker in Webb Institute’s Alfred M. Zeien Lecture Series. His March 31, 2015, presentation dealt with the Webb education as students’ “ticket to the future” and “license to learn.” He focused on comments by seven former Webb students now working for Newport News Shipbuilding or Huntington Ingalls Industries, regarding the importance of what they have learned while students at Webb and in their professional careers.

Mr. Petters noted that as students these seven graduates probably never envisioned the paths their careers have taken. According to these graduates, among the most important aspects of the Webb education were the holistic or systems approach to engineering, the practical learning, the experience with teamwork, and a strong work ethic. Several grads emphasized communication skills as a key to success.

Quoting Admiral Rickover, Mr. Petters urged students in the audience to “own” whatever job they might have, i.e., choose a position in which you are interested and do your very best in it. He too stressed the importance of communication skills. For those who will be in leadership positions, he emphasized two points: the importance of listening to those who might be considered the least qualified or least empowered to see what valuable ideas they might have and responding effectively to problematical situations. A final bit of advice was to remember that graduation from Webb indicates that you have learned, but the diploma, more importantly, is a license to continue learning.

Congressman Steven Israel Describes the World in 2030 In the eighteenth presentation in the Alfred M. Zeien Lecture Series, Long Island Congressman Steven Israel spoke on April 8th about the latest “National Intelligence Council Report on Global Trends.” Congressman Israel began by asking the questions, “What will the world be like in 2030?” and “Will that world be safe, secure, and prosperous?” These are some of the questions that the National Intelligence Council addresses in reports issued every four years.

In a “ten-minute tour of the world” in 2030, Israel

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identified five operative megatrends, each of which has both positive and negative consequences: (1) the creation of a much larger middle class, especially in Russia, India, China, and Brazil; (2) the largest expansion of the elderly in human history; (3) the concentration of 60% of the world’s population in cities; (4) the continued and even more rapid growth of technology; and (5) terrorist conflicts and asymmetric wars fought not over ideologies but over resources, i.e., food, water, and energy.

According to Congressman Israel, this is a pivotal moment in American history in which we will have to make the right decisions. If we do so, he said, the world of 2030 can be “absolutely superb.” The history of our country has been marked by our having made the right decisions in the past; it is imperative that we do so now.

The presentation was followed by a very interesting question-and-answer session.

Webb News - Summer 2015

Winter Gatherings Webbies spend quality time with Alumni during their Winter Work travels

Netherlands Gathering Mark ‘79 and Laurie Martecchini hosted a get-together for Webbies in the Netherlands at their home in Rotterdam in February.

Hampton Roads Gathering On Sunday, February 8th, Patrick, Jennifer ‘99, Abby, and Will Ryan hosted the winter interns for dinner. The two juniors and four freshmen working in Hampton Roads were able to join us at Park Lane Tavern in Hampton. (Jennifer broke her ankle on February 1st and was unable to cook for the Webbies as planned.) Everyone had a great evening out and thoroughly enjoyed the food!

New England Webb Alumni Chili Gathering A number of winter records have been broken in the Boston area in 2015. These records include snow fall totals and low temperatures. Neither snowfall nor cold temperatures could stop the 2015 New England Webb Alumni Chili Gathering on January 24th, 2015. Alumni from the 70s, 80s and 90s along with their spouses and children gathered to enjoy a wide variety of chili. Everyone who attended had a great time; and graduates are looking forward to more Webb alumni events in the future. Everyone was having such a good time that no one stopped to take any photos.

Lesson learned for next year.

Florida Gathering Jim Hancock ‘67 had dinner with Zach Gilfus ‘15 and Nick Husser ‘18 on February 14th in Florida. Jim stated, “They are both very nice young men. I enjoyed hearing the latest about Webb from a student’s perspective and hopefully they weren’t too bored hearing how it used to be.”

Left to right: John Nonemaker ‘10, Matt Donatelli ‘08, Leah Sosa ‘08, Mark Martecchini ‘79, Wesley Yland ‘15, Gabriel Poritz ‘15.

Houston Event On February 17th, eleven Houston alumni (and one spouse), and two friends of Webb had dinner together with three of the seniors in Houston for Winter Work. A separate room at a local restaurant with a “U” shaped table allowed for several simultaneous and lively conversations without disturbance to or from the other diners.

In attendance: Bob Conachey ‘80, Shirley Conachey, Perry Connell ‘97, Tom Gillette ‘52, Richard Kim ‘11, Stefan Kuczera ‘15, Erin McElroy ‘15, Cerian Mellor (BG & Friend of Webb), Jack Mercier ‘60, Peter Noble (Past President of SNAME and Friend of Webb), Scott Richards ‘77, Ben Rockwell ‘15, Tony Urbanelli ‘75, Peter Wallace ‘93, Amy Zahray ‘14.

San Diego Farewell to the Winter Work Interns John Malone ‘71 and his wife Amy hosted the five Webb interns in San Diego to a farewell pizza party at their favorite pizza joint (Bronx Pizza) on February 25, 2015, just three days before the students were to leave the mild climate of Southern California to return to the harsher conditions of winter in Glen Cove. The photo below shows a not surprising “clean sweep” of three pizzas, although it almost didn’t happen ... There was one slice left for 10 minutes until Vinnie Commisso ‘18 revealed (and demonstrated) that he likes cold pizza!

Left to right: Kevin Prichard ‘18, Allie Pitti ‘15, Matt Gianforcaro ‘15, John Malone ‘71, Mike Walker ‘16, Vinnie Commisso ‘18.

Right: Ice cream cake topped with chocolate molded sailboat bearing the Webb logo, by Amy Malone, of course!

Seated, left to right: Jay Carson ‘73, Allie Pitti ‘15, Vinnie Commisso ‘18, John Carlson ‘14, Mike Walker ‘16, Kevin Prichard ‘18, Matt Gianforcaro ‘15, Jenna Ferrieri ‘11, Will Markuske ‘10. Standing: Amy Malone and John Malone ‘71.

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Class of 2016 at OTC - by Andrew Ko ‘16 Class of 2016 in front of the NRG Stadium with Tom Koster ‘67 and the Presenters On Sunday afternoon, May 3rd, the Class of 2016 and the two University of Southampton exchange students took a flight from the LaGuardia airport toward Houston to participate in the 2015 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). The trip and the stay were graciously sponsored by the TK Foundation and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). With 94,700 attendants from 130 countries, 328 technical paper presentations, and 2,682 exhibiting companies, the OTC proved to an incredibly educational and an eyeopening experience to us, the students, who had yet to truly realize the immense size and the prominence of the offshore industry.

Enthusiastic and eager from the stories of past OTCs, we arrived at the beautifully kept and spacious apartments kindly provided by ABS that Sunday evening, and kicked off the start of the OTC week with a jubilant class barbecue dinner at the outside pool of the apartments. The anticipation carried over to the morning after, and with much excitement, the Class took off for the I-45 toward NRG Stadium.

Waiting for us were multiple packed parking lots, an arena being filled with waves of business suits, and endless exhibits with multiple giveaways. We spent the day walking around the colossal exhibit hall or attending some of the technical paper presentations, learning about the subsea production and well equipment, the offshore platforms and subsea infrastructure construction vessels, the latest innovations and applications, and the regulations overseeing this equipment and these vessels. The exhibits and the technical presentations clearly displayed the continued importance of deepwater exploration and future offshore moves; the industry’s focus to bring the cost down, to allow faster 16

development of new projects, and to improve safety were passionately advertised in the name of capitalistic competition.

That evening, we participated in the SNAME Reception at Hotel Zaza to take part in honoring Alden J. Laborde, Bruce G. Collipp, and Alan C. McClure, all of whom have contributed significantly to the development of offshore platforms and the industry. We learned a little about the history of offshore platforms, networked with decorated industry professionals, and enjoyed delicious food – a rare opportunity for Webb students.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Webb students attended a series of presentations on offshore vessel and platform engineering problems and solutions by Tom Koster (‘67) and his contacts – Arjan Voogt of Marin, Bo Williams and Chad Tscheauner of Viking, Ulric Frorup of BV, and Chris Bintcliffe of Matthews Daniel. Typical feedback from my classmates on the presentations included, “It was definitely the best technical presentations of the week,” and “I just learned so, so, SO, much from those presentations.”

Before the Thursday flight back to Webb, several students from the class made the trip to the Chevron’s Houston engineering office with Lowell Dickerson ‘10, which also received rave reviews, including, “I didn’t know what to expect, but he was just an incredible presenter,” and, “It really helped me understand the offshore industry. That was really an excellent presentation.”

Amid these many events, students found the time to participate in the SNAME mentorship program, citing their experiences being guided around the exhibit with the industry professionals as an invaluable learning

Webb News - Summer 2015

experience and a networking opportunity.

Overall, OTC 2015 showed us that a whole world and opportunities exist outside our classrooms that are open to our taking, and during the few days in Houston, we reaped the benefits fully. For this, we would like to thank the TK Foundation, ABS, and Webb Institute for their generous assistance in providing this educational and eye-opening experience to us, the Webb students, who too often shy away from unfamiliar risks and the offshore industry.

Dates of Interest: Leadership Week & Freshman Orientation August 17-21, 2015 Start of the Fall Semester August 24, 2015 Family Weekend September 18-20, 2015 Open House October 24, 2015 SNAME Maritime Convention in Providence, RI November 4-7, 2015 Fall Recess After classes on November 20-29, 2015 Grades Issued December 21, 2015 Winter Work Begins January 4, 2016 Start of the Spring Semester February 29, 2016

Members from Class of 2016 at the OTC Conference.

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Saying Goodbye to the Best Four Years Matthew B. Weklar ‘15 Student Organization President Somehow the spring semester has managed to slip by in a total blur. From the beginning of the semester with another successful ski trip up in Whiteface, NY, to another Homecoming weekend gone by, this has been a very quick semester. For the senior class, dreams of graduation are beginning to replace the nightmares of thesis deadlines and ship design projects. For the lowerclassmen the scent of summer is almost as sweet.

After returning from an eventful winter work period, the large majority of the school travelled up to Lake Placid to spend the weekend skiing at White Face Mountain. Yet again Webb returned to the Ledge Rock Hotel, and we could not have asked for better accommodations.

“Webb Volleyball continued their dedication with nightly practices and the hard work paid off snagging two wins for the season” Webb sports have been out in full force. Webb Volleyball continued their dedication with nightly practices, and the hard work paid off snagging two wins for the season. When Webb Tennis was finally able to beat the weather, Coach Doherty’s tutelage paid off as well with two wins for the season. Webb’s sailing team also had a busy spring season with a number of excellent showings across the east coast. Outside of the standard Webb sports, students have been finding new and exciting ways to spend their time.

The yoga club, Brooklyn Boat Works volunteers, First Robotics volunteers, Culture Club, Cooking Club, and the WooFS, have provided countless opportunities for students to stay active and become involved around campus.

After all these extracurricular activities, Webbies have still managed to pay attention in the classroom as well. The junior class Ship Design I

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projects came to an end with some excellent designs coming to fruition. With everything from a jack-up barge to mini-maxi carbon fiber racing sailboat, the judges had a tough time scoring each of the teams.

The senior class has been enjoying yet another unique list of elective courses with Nuclear Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, and C++ Programming.

Webbstock has managed to sneak up on us as well.

With many old favorites returning, the day should be as epic as ever. Shortly after Webbstock, everyone enjoyed the always popular Gatsby party where everyone cleans up, and the night is filled with delicious food and jazz music. Before I knew it, June 21st came and went, and it was time for the class of 2015 to say goodbye to this second family we’ve been lucky enough to be a part of for the last four years.

It has been an honor joining the short list of Webb S.O. presidents this year. While it has not always been easy, it has always been rewarding. The faculty and administration have provided guidance and have been excellent role models throughout the year. It is with great relief that I announce rising junior Barr Turner will soon be taking a turn at the wheel as the S.O. president for the 2015-16 school year. I have the utmost confidence in Barr and believe that the Top Six next year will do an excellent job.

Seniors learn a little sophistication during Wine Tasting 101 class, taught by Abbott Weiss ‘63.

Webb News - Summer 2015

Campus News - Around Campus Our first Culture Club event this semester took us to the big city for a showing of Jersey Boys.

Although not a story about growing up in New Jersey, the musical was a real smash. It took only 15 minutes to sell out all 20 tickets. The students had a great time dancing along to one of the hottest musicals on Broadway.

Later in the semester the Culture Club went back to New York City to see Fuerza Bruta, a breathtaking aerial show that is accompanied with heart-pounding live music.

The Webbie Ski Trip was to Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid this year, and it was an Olympic showing. Around 65 of Webb’s finest athletes attended along with long time skier Joe Mazurek. With snow falling on both days of the trip, the conditions were prime for skiing. The picture perfect views and mountain air provided plenty of refreshment for the long challenging semester ahead.

Don’t hold your breath! This past semester Webb offered students the opportunity to become scuba certified. Six students earned their certification: Dylan Przelomski ‘16, Brian Mills ‘16, Andrew Vogeler ‘18, Dylan Throckmorton ‘18, Ryan Chozick ‘18, and Alexander Dzinbal ‘17.

The students participated in three pool sessions at the YMCA, two review sessions with the instructor, an online course, and then an open-water dive in order to receive their certification.

The SWE (The Society for Women Engineers) welcomed ten new Women Webbies this semester. These women now belong to an organization that enables them to meet and network with other inspirational female engineers.

In April, Hannah Wistort ‘17, Brianna Louie ‘17, Erin Hub ‘16 and, Megan Green ‘18 attended an event in Philadelphia to work with other SWE members. The Webbies taught girl scouts about the fundamentals of engineering through the construction of tin foil boats. They are looking forward to attending more events in the future as well as establishing a chapter here on Long Island.

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Campus News Spreading the Word on Webb at the FIRST Robotics World Championships

by Nolan Conway ‘15 On April 24th Webb Institute students took on St. Louis. Led

by Mr. Bill Murray, Director of Enrollment Management, five students helped with the recruitment process by attending the annual FIRST Robotics world championships.

The four-day event was no small task for this Webb group.

This year more than 20,000 young students from 39 countries attended the competition. The Webb Institute information table was very busy. Webb students were on hand to answer questions and talk about their own experiences being a part of “the Webb family.” The five students came from all four classes. We met students from all around the country. Most of these students had never heard about our school. It is always a special feeling to show someone Webb for the first time. You really feel as if you are opening a new door for them.

Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Roussin (P’17) for providing the group a place to stay each night.

The Webb Jazz Band!

by Hannah Wistort ‘17

The Webb Student Jazz Band was formed during the spring 2014 semester when Ian Lawson ‘17 and I realized many of the students at Webb are talented musicians interested in participating in a jazz ensemble. “I was very excited to find that many Webb students share my passion for jazz. Jazz music is lively, entertaining, and fun to play and listen to,” said Lawson.

This year there are band members from every class: Cody Owen ‘15 alto saxophone, Erin Hub ‘16 piano, Alex Bashkoff ‘17 tenor saxophone, Spenser Boyd ‘17 drums, Mike Imbesi ‘17 trumpet, Ian Lawson ‘17 bass, Jon Roussin ‘17 french horn, Tim Siepmann ‘17 tenor saxophone, Jon Hale ‘18 trumpet, Luke Laisney ‘18 trumpet, and Andrew Vogeler ‘18 trumpet.

The Webb Student Jazz Band rehearses three days a week during our one-hour lunch break. The President has graciously allowed us to practice in the auditorium and store our instruments in the auditorium wings. Webb also covers the cost of sheet music for each of the musicians. We select our pieces as a group.

Our major performances were at the 2014 Homecoming, the 2014 Webbstock, the 2015 Family Weekend, and the 2015 Christmas Party. We have also played background music for many receptions.

Webb Student Jazz Band playing at the 2014 Homecoming Cocktail Reception.

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Webb News - Summer 2015

The 2015 Phonathons

by Gailmarie Sujecki Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Alumni Relations

In April 2015, the Phonathons were again an overwhelming success. During three sessions, 25 freshmen made calls attempting to contact 553 alumni.

They were able to secure a total of $79,074 - there were 109 specified pledges, 39 unspecified pledges, and 24 credit card gifts.

As an added incentive, we awarded a gift card to the following students who either secured the largest number of pledges, the highest dollar amount in pledges, or the largest number of credit card gifts: Vinnie Commisso, Tyler Gray-Hoehn, Chase Geschwilm, Katri Heitman, Ray Gagliardi, Tom Hickey, Jon Hale, Brandon Louis, and Justyn Hochheiser.

One group of our helpers.

Webb Hosts Two Southampton Students this Spring

by Bill Murray Director of Enrollment Management

It was back in fall of 2012 that Gilberto Besana, of Milan, Italy, and Matt Thompson, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, were introduced to Webb by Webb students who spent their sophomore fall semester as Webb exchange students at the University of Southampton.

That fall Satchel Douglas, Chris Licato, Andy Thompson, and Cody Owen, now seniors at Webb, were the Webb students studying at Southampton and being good student ambassadors of the Webb education.

Both students were intrigued by the close-knit learning community of the classroom and the dedication of time Webb professors are willing to provide each student. It was an environment very different from the Southampton experience and one that both students wanted to take advantage of when given the opportunity.

This semester has been all they could have hoped for.

In addition to new experiences like having a single classroom with your own desk, trips to New York City, and travelling to Houston to experience the Offshore Technology Conference, they have had the opportunity to travel around the U.S. during their few months here.

The two students took spring break to travel to San Francisco, San Diego, and Yosemite National Park on a road trip to see America “beyond the East Coast.�

As for their post graduate plans Gilberto leans toward businesses that are involved with his passion for sailing, and Matt is looking at the possibility of a career in the offshore industry. However, both indicate that time spent at Webb and all the people that they have had the opportunity to meet have given them an awareness of other marine careers that they might want to consider when they have completed their education at Southampton next year.

Gilberto and Matt, like the Southampton exchange students before them, have transitioned very well into the Webb community, and we are pleased they decided to attend this year. Their arrival brings to 15 the total number of Southampton exchange students Webb has had the pleasure of hosting since the program started.

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Campus News Student Leadership Committee

by Barr Turner ‘17

This spring, Webb students, as always, found time in their busy schedules to volunteer in the local area. June was particularly busy, with three service events.

Another group painted over graffiti on the beach wall at the Welwyn Nature Preserve in Glen Cove. The third event was the Webb 5K, where students, faculty, administration, and staff had a chance to run, jog, or walk together. Afterwards, everyone was awarded with healthy smoothies and (not so healthy) cookies.

On May 2nd, ten Webbies cooked brunch for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, a non-profit organization that provides comfortable housing to families of sick children being treated at local hospitals.

Residents were thankful for the nice meal. Cooking brunch there has become a rewarding annual event at Webb.

Later in the month, on May 30th, students volunteered at Brooklyn Boatworks, a non-profit organization (co-founded by Webb Alum Carl Persak ‘96) that gives inner-city kids the opportunity to build and sail Optimist dinghies. Students assisted in putting the finishing touches on the student-built boats and ensure seaworthiness before they are launched.

Finally, in June, students finished off the year organizing three events. They started by heading to the nearby Nissequoque River, where they paddled the length of the river in canoes and kayaks and cleaned up any litter along the way. The six-mile journey took 3.5 hours.

Webb Institute Fencing Club

by Zach Backas ‘16

Stabs Into Extracurricular Agenda

Webb Institute has recently started a fencing club.

With the advent of a visit and proposal from fencing extraordinaire Aline Marie, better known as Miss Germany International 2012, the club was formed. The club regularly enjoys after class bouts while learning the fine art of the foil. Aline has taken a position as the fencing team coach, with fencing expert and Webb Sophomore Spenser Boyd

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Students cleaning-up the Nissequoque River.

‘17 filling in as coach during her international occupations.

With funding from the school, team equipment was purchased and weekly practices are held in the Alumni Gymnasium. In the future, club president Zach Backas ‘16 hopes to hold a friendly school-wide competition to prepare the next generation of Webb fencers for intercollegiate events.

Webb News - Summer 2015

WEBB SPRING SPORTS Volleyball The Volleyball season ended with a final record of 2 wins and 7 losses. Our first win against Yeshiva University was a huge achievement for our team having never defeated the team on the past. Although we were defeated in the first round of the semi-finals, it was a GREAT season.

in a tactical duel, where the first boat to finish does not guarantee victory (The team with the lowest combined score between their three boats wins the race.) With the Long Island Sound iced over in those early days of the semester, we had a tough time competing against the more southern schools in our division. The team then qualified for division championships at the Cornell North Qualifying regatta and went on to place 16th out of 18 at the division championships. A strong finish, ranking us the highest un-coached team in the division.

Sailing in San Francisco

By Alex Hanford ‘15

Tennis Tennis had a rocky start this season, with three games canceled and three losses, but with four promising new freshmen who joined the team to make up for Chis Licato, Ben Rockwell, and Evan Wingfield graduating this year, Webb had a strong finish. We won our last two matches against Vaughn and St. Joseph’s, leading us into the finals. Webb landed a tie for 3rd during the seasons and overall 6th place in the tournament. Captain Chris Licato ‘15 was also named to the 2015 HVIAC AllConference team.

While the Winter Work term provides an amazing chance to work and learn in the maritime industry, playing a little hooky now and again can lead to some of the best times. On this note eight Webbies got the opportunity to take President’s Day off and go for a fantastic day of sailing around San Francisco Bay with Spencer Schilling ’82. Leaving from Alameda in the morning, we headed north, crossing under the Oakland Bay Bridge in a rapidly freshening breeze. From here we sailed along the city waterfront to the entrance of the bay and into the massive currents that run under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Continuing our trek northward, we rounded Angel Island and then furled our sails to take a look at an interesting piece of our history. In an unassuming little harbor at the end of a pier sits a rather interesting little white building that seems just slightly out of place. The China Cabin, as this building is known, began its life as the “social saloon” onboard the PS China, a trans-Pacific mail carrier built by William Webb. Quite an incredible thing to see, still standing proud 149 years after leaving the Webb shipyard.

Leaving the cabin behind, we took to the wind and after a quick jaunt around Alcatraz, we sailed south along the shoreline until we reached our dinner destination. Have you ever been watching a Giants game where they show all the kayakers waiting on the water to catch a home run? It turns out kayaks aren’t the only thing that can anchor there. Unfortunately, we were a little early to catch a game, so we had to settle for a beautiful sunset, and some delicious chili, the perfect thing to ward off the evening chill. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we weighed anchor and motored back across the bay to Alameda.

Sailing This spring season the team competed in six regattas within the MAISA collegiate division. The season began with two challenging team races requiring three boats and six sailors from each school to race head to head

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Webb Alumni Fund – Class Agent Forum 2015 (CLAG15)

by Jake Neuman ‘93 After the success and positive feedback of the 2011 and 2012 Class Agent (CLAG) Forums, a third forum for CLAGs was held on May 15th, 2015.

In what proved to be another successful event, several objectives were achieved: facilitation and dissemination of Webb information (operational, financial, and strategic planning) to the Class Agents for further communication to fellow alumni; opportunity to address questions/concerns raised by CLAGs or their classmates; exchange of best practices in their role as Class Agents; and, brainstorm on ways to improve outreach to meet and exceed Webb Alumni Fund (WAF) goals and objectives.

Forty-one alumni classes were represented in addition to several current students and Development Office representatives. (Thanks to everyone who committed the time, energy and the financial resources to make the event a success.) Webb President, Keith Michel ‘73, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, George Campbell, Jr., were joined by four other Trustees in giving presentations during the forum. This is a strong testament to the leadership team’s interest in alumni feedback. The environment and atmosphere were open and very collaborative.

Detailed presentations from the day can be found at http:// www.webb.edu/clag-2015. It’s hard to capture a whole day of events in one article.

I will say that as intimidating as the role of Webb Alumni Chairman will be, it is invigorating and motivating Jake Neuman ‘93 to see the strong, deep commitment that those associated with the school feel toward it and their work to keep it successful. I look forward to working with you all, and my apologies ahead of time that it may take a while for me to reach each of you individually to get to know you better.

Break-out session during CLAG forum.

The summary of the key messages from these presentations were: Much has changed at Webb in the last few years: New Board & Committee chairs; new President, new initiatives, organizational changes, and several new department heads.

Webb’s operational costs have grown at a lower rate than those of comparable colleges.

Webb’s endowment has been well managed with growth rates in the top percentile of endowment returns for recent years.

Webb is solid financially in the recovery from the economic downturn. Webb’s target draw on the endowment is less than 5%, which has been a struggle to achieve at current endowment levels and with major gifts (those over $100K) board-designated for recapitalization of the endowment

A successful campaign will solidify Webb’s endowment and make it inter-generationally sustainable,

allowing Webb to make capital improvements and implement the institution’s short and mid-term

strategic plan initiatives.

The Campaign for Webb, currently in its silent phase, is expected to launch publicly in the fall of 2015.

Webb’s Alumni Fund, Parent and Past Parent/Grandparent Funds have a tremendous impact on Webb as the combined efforts account for 20-25% of the school’s annual operating budget. Continued support of the Annual Fund from all constituencies will prove critical to Webb success. Every dollar counts!

Updates to the Strategic Plan (2013-2017) were presented and included an in-depth analysis on near and mid/longer-term objectives.

Student recruitment efforts and the state of campus life are trending positively as described in greater detail through other Webb News articles. This becomes evident to anyone that spends some time on campus. Class Agents were in agreement that alumni visits back to the school really help you connect with the positive, healthy environment that exists on campus.

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Webb News - Summer 2015

Alumni Spotlight:

From Underwater to the Edge of Space and Return Dr. Joseph A. Schetz ‘58 During my Junior year at Webb, the Russian Sputnik was successfully launched. That changed my outlook in a dramatic fashion. My interest in naval engineering had started early when I read the book series Dave Darrin at Annapolis. I was accepted to USNA, but I switched to Webb at the last minute.

However, Sputnik led me to look towards aerospace engineering, and I ended up earning a Ph.D. from Princeton and spending most of my career in the aerospace field.

My first job after graduate school was at General Applied Science Lab. in New York in 1961, working under the well-known Dr. Antonio Ferri and performing innovative analyses and experiments on the then-new concept of supersonic combustion ramjets. In 1964, I joined the faculty of the University of Maryland as an Associate Professor and also began work as a Consultant to the Applied Physics Lab. of Johns Hopkins University. I then moved to Virginia Tech in 1969 as Head of the Aerospace Engineering Dept. for 24 years. That period saw a rapid expansion of the department and a new emphasis on research and graduate study, and I led the addition of Ocean Engineering to the program. My current position is as Holder of the Frederick Durham Chair at Virginia Tech.

their degrees under my supervision. These former students now hold a wide variety of important positions in industry, government, and academia both in the US and overseas. I am a frequent and active member of the Ph.D. committees of graduate students not only in aerospace but also in civil and mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech and other US and foreign universities.

I met my wife Katherine on a blind date for the 1956 Shipwreck Dance and never looked back. That was another favor that Webb did for me. We have four children and eight grandchildren. My outside interests include strong participation in Republican Party activities, hunting, and fishing. When asked what Webb did most for me, I always reply that Webb taught me how to work very hard and to “learn how to learn.”

My research interests cover all aspects of aircraft aerodynamics and design, and experimental and theoretical aero- and hydro-dynamics, with a particular emphasis on high-speed flows and propulsion. I have twice returned to studies in the ocean area. While working on ramjets in the 1970s at APL/JHU, someone noticed that I had a Webb degree in Naval Architecture, and they asked me to work on the SSBN Security program. That happened again in 2014. This broad research led to authorship of three books, five chapters in other books and more than 350 refereed technical papers. I have received several major research and literature awards from professional societies, Virginia Tech, and other universities, and I am a Life Fellow of both AIAA and ASME and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

A current total of 72 Ph.D. students and an even larger number of MS students have completed

Dr. Joseph A. Schetz ‘58 receiving a 45-year service award from the President of Virginia Tech in April 2015.

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Alumni Association Report:

Exciting Changes Within the WAA We are pleased to welcome two new members to the WAA Executive Committee with this year’s elections held at the WAA Annual Meeting during Homecoming on May 16, 2015. Elected were Sean Murphy ‘13 as the Fifth Member of the Executive Committee and Jake Neuman ‘93 as the Chairman of the Alumni Fund.

As Webbies do, we tend to seek volunteers through the immediate contacts and recommendations of those already on the committee. We greatly hope that if you would be willing to serve on the Executive Committee you would contact any of us for more information.

During the meeting, the WAA was pleased to present John Malone ‘71, the outgoing Chairman of the Alumni Fund, with a plaque to commemorate his 18 years (1997 through 2015) on the WAA Executive Committee in that role. He has been incredibly dedicated and tireless in his work to push for and garner the amazing results we continue to see for Webb in our collaborative funding efforts! His shoes will be hard to fill, but Jake is excited to be taking on the role and has great ideas to keep the positive results moving forward.

The Class of 2015 was inducted into the WAA with a unanimous vote, inclusive of two Southampton Exchange students. The WAA was pleased to present the annual Athletic Awards to Satchel B. Douglas ‘15 (Sailing, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, and Frisbee), Kathryn “Kate” Chaffee ‘16 (Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Running, and Dalai Goalie), Ryan D. Fagan ‘17 (Soccer, Basketball, and Volleyball), and Ryan E. Chozick ‘18 (Volleyball, Soccer, and Basketball).

We’d like to remind everyone that there are still a significant number of alumni who have not purchased a copy of Webb Institute: 125 Years of Excellence. The publishing and production of this book was a WAA-funded effort, and we’d love to have copies out to (at least) everyone who provided biographies for the update. The book is available in the school store for $75, with numbered, personalized, bookplates available for an additional $25 donation. The proceeds from this book allow the WAA to continue to fund efforts in support of Webb and our alumni.

As an update, we’re pleased to let you know that we have nearly reached a formal agreement with Webb to allow the elimination of WAA dues. This effort, begun

by Matt Tedesco, will eliminate significant cost (in bank fees) and confusion (transferring money back and forth between the WAA and Webb) associated with the annual collection of dues. At the 2014 Annual Meeting it was proposed the by-laws be modified to permit the WAA Executive Committee to elect not to collect dues separately and instead enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Webb to fund the activities of the WAA directly from the Alumni Fund. This process is nearly complete, and we hope to distribute the ballot for the proposed bylaws change later in the year. The process has taken longer than anticipated as we attempted to work through the annual budget for one year without collecting dues.

We have received several unofficial suggestions for honorary membership to the Alumni Association, which we will be attempting to formalize in a ballot in the coming months. This presents the opportunity to remind everyone that if you have an idea for an honorary membership candidate, any fifteen (15) members may, in accordance with the by-laws, petition the Executive Committee for ballot vote on that candidate.

I look forward to seeing you at the Webb Alumni Association Annual Banquet in Providence, Rhode Island on Friday, November 6, 2015!

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Webb News - Summer 2015

by Jennifer Kollmer ‘91 WAA Executive Committee Jennifer Kollmer ‘91 President Peter Wallace ‘93 Vice President Ian Mutnick ‘96 Secretary Vicky Dlugokecki ‘88 Treasurer Sean Murphy ‘13 Fifth Member Jennifer Ryan ‘99 Sixth Member Jake Neuman ‘93 Chairman, Alumni Fund Matthew Tedesco ‘91 Past President Matthew Werner ‘95, PG’97 Historian Spencer Schilling ‘82 Member at Large Joe Signorelli ‘54 Member at Large Anthony Urbanelli ‘75 Member at Large Dane Hendrix ‘84 Audit Committee Sarah Wickenheiser ‘08 Audit Committee Steve Pagan ‘88 Nominating Committee Richard Kim ‘11 Nominating Committee

Alumni News In Memoriam 1944B

loving family.

Dr. James Alan Fay passed away peacefully at the age of 91, on June 2, 2015, surrounded by his

Jay was born in Southold, Long Island, and grew up in Brooklyn.

He served in the U.S. Navy as an ensign during World War II. He married Agatha Kelly in 1946. In 1947, he earned an MS in Marine Engineering from MIT, followed by a PhD in Engineering Mechanics from Cornell University in 1951.

Jay and Gay settled in Weston, MA, in 1956. Together, they raised a family of six children while Jay was a faculty member in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at MIT. Jay was an avid sailor from a young age, sewing his first set of sails as a teenager from Egyptian cotton cloth he purchased in the Garment District in Manhattan. He and Gay spent many summers at their second home in Georgetown, Maine, where he also kept his Tartan 27, a boat that he cruised on from the Bay of Fundy to Florida. Jay was an extremely devoted husband and looked after Gay until she passed in October, 2012, from complications of Alzheimer’s.

He eventually resided at Newbury Court in Concord, MA. He was active and busy up until the last couple of weeks of his life, when he ran into complications from lymphoma. Jay was an optimistic man who believed strongly in education and provided support and encouragement for all his children and grandchildren with their college educations. Jay is survived by his children and their spouses: David Fay & Roben Campbell, Mark Fay, Colin Fay & Stephanie Holmes, Jamie & Maureen Fay, Peter Fay &

Sue DeRivera, and Michele Fay & Tim Price; eighteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

1950

Charles Zeien passed away peacefully on April 5, 2015.

After receiving his MBA from Harvard University, Charlie joined Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in 1952 as a Maintenance Superintendent.

In 1961, Charlie was made Vice President of Engineering, a position he held until he left Sun Ship in 1972. In 1964 Charlie was elected a Director of Sun Ship. Under Charlie’s direction the yard engineered and built the Racer-class breakbulk ships and Lancer-class container ships for United States Lines, built the world’s largest solid fuel rocket cases, enhanced the yard’s facilities with design and construction of the then-largest floating drydock in the Western Hemisphere, directed the engineering for the conversion of Manhattan for her epic Northwest Passage, engineered the pioneering gas turbine propelled Adm WM M Callaghan, and directed the engineering for the first pioneering ro/ro ships built by Sun Ship. Charlie was heading the engineering effort for the Hughes Glomar Explorer when he left the shipyard in 1972 to join J.J. Henry Company, an internationallyknown firm of naval architects and marine engineers, as a Director and Executive Vice President. In 1975 he was elected President and Chief Operating Officer, whereupon he directed operations in five offices throughout the United States and supervised designs for numerous innovative marine vessels, including 125,000-cubic-meter LNG ships, integrated tug product tankers, large container ships and numerous designs for the U.S. Navy. On leaving Webb News - Summer 2015

the company in 1985, Charlie founded Charles Zeien Associates, providing consulting, technical and management support services to the maritime industry. A member of The Mariner’s Museum Board of Trustees, he served with distinction on committees that brought into being the USS Monitor Center.

He also served on the boards of Norshipco and Colonna’s Shipyard.

Charlie was a member of SNAME, the Society of Naval Engineers, the Society of Military Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He was a Member of the American Arbitration Association and the Society of Maritime Arbitrators.

He was a Member of the American Bureau of Shipping’s Technical Committee and other marine engineering committees.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Jean, daughter Jennifer, son Michael (Patricia) and brother Alfred (Joyce).

1951

Philip R. Faurot succumbed to lymphoma in the early morning hours of December 24, 2014, at the age of 85. With hospice care, Phil’s last days were particularly peaceful. He spent the day before dressed in his favorite shirt, resting quietly in his own bed, while listening to Brandenburg Concertos, Zamphir on his panpipes, and Christmas tunes from King’s College Cambridge, some music he especially enjoyed and a preferred pastime.

1953

Alan G. Forssell passed away in the early morning hours of March 16, 2015 at the age of 83. Mr. Forssell retired as Director, Surface 27

Alumni News In Memoriam Ship Systems, NAVSEA Nuclear Power Directorate, where he coordinated all aspects of nuclear surface ship propulsion systems for aircraft carriers and cruisers, that is, concept through disposal.

He received meritorious and distinguished senior executive awards as well as ASNE’s Harold E. Saunders lifetime service award for 40 years in nuclear power program.

Mr. Forssell is survived by his wife of 59 years (Betty Rose), three children and five grandchildren, and brother, R. Marks Forssell ’55.

PG’61

Captain Thomas Merritt Barry USN (Ret.) of Sugar Grove/Valle Crucis, Watauga County, died peacefully on Friday,

May 29th. Capt. Barry grew up in Benoit, MS. In 1953, he graduated from the USNA and was commissioned an Ensign.

He served as a naval officer for 26 years. After retirement from the Navy in 1979, he taught mathematics at Appalachian State University. He is survived by his wife, Anna Stout Barry; four sons: Peter (Elizabeth); Frank (Catherine); John (Molly); Michael (Rebecca); and by 28 grandchildren, and one greatgrandson. A Christian (Anglican) service of witness to the Resurrection and a Celebration of the Life took place on June 4th.

Boston Naval Shipyard as Ship Superintendent and Docking Officer. This tour was followed by assignment to the USS Belknap (DLG-26) as the commissioning crew Chief Engineer. The Belknap was followed by two tours in Washington separated by two years in the Far East (Japan) on the Staff of the Commander of Service Group Three. The Washington tours included assignments in R&D (the Exploratory Development Program in the Naval Material Command and Ship Research in NAVSEA) and Cruiser Construction Program Management.

PG’62

He retired in 1976 from the Navy and commenced a second career, first with the small company names DELEX and then with the Bath Iron Works Corp. in their Washington office.

Donald W. Blount passed away on July 8, 2014. Upon completing his time at Webb, he followed a Navy career with a tour at the

Foss is a full service maritime company focused on solving our customers’ toughest marine transportation and logistical challenges – close to home and in some of the harshest environments in the world.

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Webb News - Summer 2015

Alumni News Class Notes 1958

Joe Schetz was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society of the United Kingdom, their highest rank. He is the retired chair of Virginia Tech’s Aeronautical and Ocean Engineering Department.

Dan Schorsch reports that his grandson Seth applied, was accepted, and will enter Webb in the fall. Dan and his brother Gene (another Webbie) are very proud of him.

Pete Hall, after he and Nancy’s Panama Canal cruise in January, has now been in 47 different countries on all the continents except Antarctica. He did get close when he rounded Cape Horn on a cruise earlier.

Pete ‘58 and Nancy in Cartagena on Panama Canal Cruise.

It’s a small world. A longtime friend and former neighbor of Pete and Nancy now living near Cornell had a couple over for dinner recently. In conversation the friend asked the other husband (a retired professor) where he had gone to school as an undergraduate. When he said Webb, she said she only knew one person who had gone there, Pete Hall. The husband, Maury Tigner calmly told her he was a classmate of Pete. Maury left Webb after two years, transferring to RPI

to study physics (he was a protege of Doc Urban’s). Maury is a world renowned high energy physicist. Look him up on Google.

We hope to visit them in August.

1959

Pete and Jo Gale once again represented our class at the Homecoming in May. Pete also attended the Class Agents’ Forum Donene and Larry ‘59 flying high over the CO snowfields. and reported the Ed and Diann Shope often results to us. Thanks have weekend visits with their Pete and Jo! grandsons, Carter 8 and Owen 6.

Larry Harrison writes: Donene Besides their passion for digging and I enjoyed a ski trip to deep holes in the garden, the boys Steamboat Springs, CO in early love to make “music” on the piano March. We had a great trip which and pound nails into boards for included a hot air balloon ride hours. over the snow covered fields and Our recent adventures have hills. The balloon ride view was included trips to Seattle’s beaches spectacular and the landing was as for more digging, soccer, and demanding and exciting as skiing. endless climbing in the parks, We survived to maybe consider and a day at the Washington State another ski trip.

Spring Fair for a serious rollerBill and Ruth Hurt continue coaster ride and milking a cow. restoring their Seattle home Diann rows a shell three times a after renting it out during week at the Mt. Baker Rowing and their seventeen-year sojourn Sailing Center, usually in a “quad” abroad. Bill is a member of the or an “eight.” These are boats American Guild of Organists, of extreme design, where speed and he practices every week on means everything and stability the mighty organ at St. Mark’s depends on keeping the tips of the Cathedral. Ruth is active in the oars on or in the water. Every row Seattle Ladies’ Musical Club and is a new adventure, as the crew the Womens’ University Club. is composed of whoever shows up. She also enjoys a weekly yoga Donnell and Bob Johnson still lesson and keeps busy as a trustee live on the shore of Chesapeake of two non-profit organizations.

Bay, enjoying the view. They recently were blessed with the Ed still runs a small engineering birth of a great-granddaughter. practice as a marine draft surveyor.

This business involves getting to Bill and Carmen Marrin are busy the right place at the right time keeping house in Setauket, NY, down on the docks, measuring and send greetings to all their freeboards and specific gravity of friends.

Webb News - Summer 2015

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Alumni News Class Notes water samples and calculating the displacement of a vessel. It’s as likely to be midnight as daytime, rain or shine. Still it’s outdoor, part-time work with some very good people, and makes an excellent retirement business. Ed keeps in shape with three bike trips to the gym most weeks.

Oren Stephans has been invited to re-join the board of his condominium association. His right knee replacement works fine, but he may require left knee surgery too. He joked that a gathering of people who talk about their health issues is called an “organ recital.”

Bill and Betty Webster plan a trip to Norway this year. They will cruise from the arctic north to the southern tip of Norway. Bill’s travels usually take him by air to

six universities in Asia and some in Europe, some 150,000 miles per year. Now that takes stamina and endurance. Pace yourself, Bill.

on Long Island bringing lots of grandchildren, now teenage cousins, who always have a great time together.

Betty is “getting around better” after knee and hip surgeries. She is active in supporting the Village Movement, an organization that promotes a model of shared living for seniors as an alternative to assisted living.

Gene and Mary continue to enjoy singing in the North Fork Chorale, and serve as officers, Gene as treasurer and Mary as secretary.

Gene also is vice president of their condominium association. They both look forward to our class reunion in Seattle this October.

Bill and Betty also have two daughters and some grandchildren to make a busy family.

Mary and Gene Yourch had a late beginning of their boating season due to all the snow that buried the east coast last winter.

Now they plan a summer with lots of day trips in their boat. Also three of their grown children will come to visit them in Greenport

Dick and Joan Zuerner plan a trip soon to visit Mary and Gene Yourch and Bill and Carmen Marrin on Long Island. Dick still works about half time in his medical practice. Joan has closed her unique lampshade shop in Newport RI, and now keeps an artist studio workshop where she can focus on her creative designs.

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

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Webb News - Summer 2015

Alumni News Class Notes 1960

Ken Court writes: In November we completed our “downsize,” a move of a mile and 100 years, from our turn-of-the-century Victorian, two floors plus full attic, and good sized cellar to a single story house built in 1998. Our new house has two office spaces, a master bedroom and walk-in closet twice the size of all closets in our old house.

In our old house the stairs became the bane of my existence. On Aug. 15th I came down stairs and then hurried back up for something I had forgotten, ignoring the Greek mantra, “I go slow because I am in a hurry.” Fell backward from the second riser; hurt my lower back & neck, bloodied my head.

Maggie saw me there. I got up, the worse for wear. Fortunately, not a paraplegic. Was I lucky!

We both said, “we move Now.” After repairing all the cracks a Victorian house develops and doing some carpentry on projects we planned to do since 2002, and significantly downsizing, our broker brought in a young lady to rearrange the furniture so the place appeared larger and more inviting. We put it on the market October 6th and in six days 12 couples came through, four made offers, two at our asking price and on the 7th day we were under contract.

arms and old folk.

We moved into this new house on 28515 Oakmont Drive two weeks before we closed on the sale of the 213 Brookletts Avenue house. This gave us time for a successful move and Estate Sale that grossed over $8,000. Our community, Easton Club, is built around a golf course and is home for all ages, babes in

kencourtvignettes.wordpress.com My Personal Voyage Thru Life, Oct. 14th 1938 – present 76 yrs, read Madness

Here are my three blogs you may want to read. They are a works in progress, Please pass this on to your friends, in particular sailors. kencourt2.wordpress.com, The Mamari Saga 1965-68, 4 years 28,000 miles, read the Seychelles for a starter then Korsar & Ken in French Polynesia. kencourtkuma.wordpress. com, From Turkey to Annapolis 1980-81, 1 year 9,057 miles, read Retrospective.

1963

After all of the excitement of our 49th reunion in OH and our 50th at Webb, the past year has

Webb News - Summer 2015

31

Alumni News Class Notes been fairly quiet for most of the ‘63’s. The biggest news is that our very own Ron Kiss, who spent seven years as President of Webb, received an honorary doctorate at Homecoming on May 16th. With more than half of our classmates returning for the ceremony, we may dub it our 52nd reunion. I looked forward to seeing Lindy, Ole, Randy, Bridget, Mike, Smitty and Bott, along with spouses, as well as Ron and June and family. As with the 50th, we started out with a Friday evening beer and pizza party at Stango’s.

Some of our late bloomers are now enjoying the fruits of our labors— grandchildren. New grandparent additions I am aware of this past year include the Rodgers, Silbers, and Birkheads. I believe there may be others as well. We are all learning the joys of getting them riled up and returning them to the parents.

I had the pleasure of welcoming Keith ‘73 and Peggy Michel to our condo in Sarasota recently. I believe the Institute remains in good hands.

1967

Wayne Martin sent a remarkable video that he produced himself with a GoPro, showing the world how a 69-year-old skis on Mt. Baldy in Sun Valley, where he and Kiki have lived for several years.

The link is available on the Alumni Portal, it’s a must for anyone 69 or younger. Quite an inspiration.

John Russell’s big news is that he was appointed by Oregon’s governor to be a member of the Oregon Investment Council. John, three other volunteers, and the State Treasurer are responsible for managing over $70 billion of public pension funds. John spent time at Webb in early April with a Portland architect brainstorming how best to construct a boathouse and a student union building on Webb’s breathtaking waterfront.

1969

Pat and Paul Snyder graciously hosted the Class of ‘69’s 45th reunion last summer at their home in Danville, CA. We picnicked on Angel Island, sailed on San Francisco Bay, and visited Webb’s China Cabin in Tiburon. The

China Cabin tour guide was excited to have a Webb class visiting the “National Maritime Monument.” Several of us spent a few extra days touring CA. Those of us who stayed in the area even experienced an earthquake!

1971

Paul Vibrans returned to Bainbridge High School this winter as the machine shop mentor for the FRC Robotics team, Spartronics 4915. Only a second year team, they made it to the World’s in Saint Louis and finished above the middle of the pack. High school has changed a lot in nearly half a century.

The gathering of PE’s in Clemson, SC, to help create the next Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Exam provided an opportunity for a Class of ‘71 mini-reunion at the Billy Graham Library, attended by Dudley and Joni Dawson and Paul and MaryLou Vibrans.

Dudley & Joni Dawson were thrilled to share lunch and several hours of conversation

Tom Koster writes that he is “slowly getting into the retirement mode.” He says that he and several other Houston Webbies took Webb seniors to dinner in February. He also met the junior class at OTC in early May. John Sirutis writes that he and Barb are camped out in upcountry Maui, in their new home.

They’re getting ready to rent it out while they sort out when and how to move there for the winters.

He’s the purchaser of a GoPro and promises to share videos of surfing and snorkeling. They migrate to Sequim, WA, for the summer.

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From left to right are: Eric Runnerstrom, Paul Snyder, Jack Spencer, Mike Goodwin, Tom Mastronarde, Mike Bushnell, Tom Campbell, and Steve Walgamot. John Paul and Bob Seiwell could not make this reunion.

Webb News - Summer 2015

Alumni News Class Notes with Paul & Mary-Lou Vibrans during the Vibrans’ visit to the Carolinas in late March. Paul was in Clemson, SC, to help write Q&A’s for the NA professional engineering exam, Dudley residing in north central NC, so they decided to meet halfway at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. It was a great time of catching up for the former roommates, and surely a time of enlightenment for the spouses.

1988

After 26-1/2 years as Class Agent, Vicky Dlugokecki has handed over the job to Steve Pagan. If he can do as well as she did, we’ll be looking for the next ‘88 CLAG in 2041.

In April, 2015 Vicky Dlugokecki was recognized as SNAME’s Member of the Month. Each month SNAME selects a member who has contributed to SNAME and the maritime industry.

Member of the Month not only recognizes a valuable SNAME member but also allows other members to learn more about one of their peers.

1989

Bill Latham wrote: I became a Grandpa for the first time October 2014. My son Jake graduated

Erik Nilsson ‘93 with Josie.

college and is now full-time in the US Army Explosive Ordnance Demolition group. He and his wife are currently at Eglin AFB in FL. Not expecting more anytime soon.

After going to comedy school for 8-weeks, Jeff Magrane was part of two special performances of ‘emerging talent’ at Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown, NY, in January 2015. He performed with other ‘graduates’ to an audience of about 100+ spectators. The laughs were plentiful. A few Webb-folk were in attendance to cheer him on, along with his family and friends. This goes to show you that a Webbie can do anything and everything!

1993

Jake Neuman agreed to succeed John Malone ‘71 as Alumni Fund Chairman. I am looking forward to getting to know all of the alumni more.

Erik Nilsson writes: This gets more challenging lately because every year is the same for me.

It’s all good, but I’ve settled into a pretty stable routine. No more weddings. No births. I haven’t switched jobs in 15 years. I’m looking forward to retirement, but that’s still a ways out. Josie and I have some fun trips coming up: Bonita Springs family trip, Maine with five kids in July, Europe tour (Norway, Ireland, England, Germany) in September and going to look for the Aurora in Fairbanks in December. That’s the one I’m anticipating the most. In between, I’ll be at Ryder and Josie will be at the Doral Resort, so we can pay for these things. The kids are all healthy and happy. We have one working, two in college, one in high school, and one in 6th grade. I miss all my Webb buddies but got to spend time with Carey

Filling and family in the Keys in January, and I caught up with Al Kamahi in Miami a couple times.

2004

Tim Yen is now the Marine and Offshore Technical Specialist in the Business Development Group at CD-adapco on Long Island, NY, helping convince potential clients that Computational Fluid Dynamics is the future of naval architecture and offshore engineering. He and his wife, Anne, also purchased a home in Astoria, Queens.

Candace Miano (Brown) and her husband Dan relocated to the Denver, CO, area in the second half of 2014. Candace is now working with the Lockheed Martin Space Systems group supporting their work in satellites.

Because they had lived in FL for 10 years, this past winter in Colorado required quite a wardrobe adjustment.

Matthew Unger and his new bride, Brandy, were married on a beautiful March 28th evening at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, LA. The couple was sent off in true New Orleans fashion by a Jazz Band.

2006

Bobby Kleinschmit has moved back to Auckland for another America’s Cup campaign with Team New Zealand.

Steve Stone’s wife, Blaire, graduated dental school from the University of Maryland in May.

2008

Porter Bratten wrote: Kami and I welcomed Jamie to our family on March 21st. He’s a very healthy little boy, already shows great pluck and determination, and we couldn’t be happier.

Webb News - Summer 2015

33

Alumni News Class Notes though because Rorie “spent the bulk of March on rough water trials for the Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom, off the OR coast with Steve Minnich.” At the time of writing Rorie was looking forward to the springtime, so by the time you read this Rorie, I hope that you enjoyed the summer!

Porter Bratten ‘08, Kami, and baby Jamie.

Dan Mannheim wrote: After enduring Boston’s snowiest winter on record, I have decided to move somewhere warmer: Finland. I will be moving to Helsinki this fall to start graduate school at Aalto University.

Stephen Minnich wrote: Kathleen ‘07 and I bought a townhouse in Alexandria and we are getting a chocolate lab puppy in June. We plan to name him Admiral Halsey.

2009

Rorie Zuzick got engaged to Travis Keim back in February during a ski trip in the Poconos.

The celebrating was short lived

Jon Ward and Courtney got engaged during a ski trip as well!

Both Jon and Courtney went on the epic Harvard Business School sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands. Their boat was named Jellyfish, and Courtney even choreographed an elaborate dance for the crew to learn. They’ve been hosting many visitors in Portland and doing some traveling to San Francisco and San Diego on the side. They’ve also started a drinking game club in their apartment building’s elevator. (It’s normal in Portland.)

John Wise and Shan also got engaged–but not on a ski trip– celebration to take place in September. “Shan is the most perfect match that I could ever hope for,” John said. Both John

and Shan were also on the BVI sailing trip on Sea Otter. After graduating from HBS in May, John plans to “settle in Boston for a few years while building LovePop.” In true business associate form, John delivered his highlights in bullet format.

“This spring, John Wise and I organized an epic 95-person boat trip to the BVIs with Webbie skippers and HBS crews,” said Wombi Rose who was skipper of the Narwhal. “When we repeat it in a few years, we’ll need more skippers. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll put you on the mailing list. I’m now excited about embarking on the next phase of growth for LovePop and staying in Boston after graduating from business school in May. Come visit in Boston!”

Diana Brown and James “got a new puppy to round out our ‘family of four’ but the dogs broke the white picket fence.” Diana is “still on the grad school grind, but will be taking a break over the summer to go on a honeymoon/ one year anniversary trip with James to Napa, Sonoma, and Lake Tahoe.”

Bret Smart wanted to leave the shipping industry so badly that

95 people, eight 46 catamarans, 7 amazing days in paradise. The Harvard Business School sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands was organized by John Wise ‘09 and Wombi Rose ‘09. Here Stefan Wolczko’s ‘09 Pufferfish and Jon Dowsett’s ‘09 Sea Urchin raft up for an epic night in Virgin Gorda Sound.

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Webb News - Summer 2015

Bret Smart ‘09 ready to descend down into the Mines of Moria.

Alumni News Class Notes he literally went underground!

“No, I still love ships but I’m taking a hiatus as a management consultant in the mining industry, with Partners in Performance.” For the past few months he has been devising a way to sneak large gold nuggets out of a remote Canadian mine and as soon as he does, he can stop living with his parents.

For now he’s happy in Fort Myers, though, with trips to Cuba thrown in on the side.

“The past few months have been very busy,” said Phil Duerr. “I have successfully finished my dissertation and will graduate at the end of the spring semester.

I started a job a Carderock and am enjoying the work so far. It is also great to be living in DC again.” Phil and Bret Smart (2/3 of ASCO!) got to spend a morning together when Bret was visiting DC back in April.

Josh McMinn and Elisti “have just ridden hippos through Botswana to celebrate his parents’ visit.”

Andrew Harville has been hanging out with “Michelle, peeps (marshmallow and people), dogs, and fish” lately. He’s also started pronouncing the ‘mal’ in the middle of ‘marshmallow’ like ‘owl’. Andrew will be heading to Honduras and PA this summer and has a great website recommendation if any alumni are looking for advice on how to cast magic spells. “Houston is getting hot and I changed my default email signature to include L,P&CG.” “Lindy and I are just coming up on a year stationed in Bahrain, and have enjoyed the opportunity to do some trips to Turkey, Tanzania, Oman, and India,” said Robert Carelli. “Working at Fifth

The BVI Sailing Trip with HBS was pretty great and I think the Webb skippers were the only ones with no onboard casualties... except for John Wise :-(.” Stefan was skipper of Pufferfish.

Austin French recently got a puppy named Oreo. Austin added, “Oreo likes Frisbee, tearing the felt off tennis balls, and would really like to catch a rabbit one day.”

Laura Patterson ‘09 and Rachel Sawyer ‘09 about to light a match in the aft magazine of the USS Constitution in Boston.

Fleet and with many coalition countries has been interesting, but I’m looking forward to possibly moving into a procurement position after completing this tour.”

Andrei Mouravieff is “still working for the Navy in DC and living in Arlington,” although he’s probably moving soon. Andrei has also been studying for the PE! Stefan Wolczko was promoted to Business Development Manager for GPA! “I’ve also been having a lot of fun between Seattle and Portland, hanging out with Jon and Courtney while they are on assignment over here out west.

Rachel Sawyer is wrapping up her second year at George Mason University with one more to go.

“Laura and I were up in Boston this April for a ship check of the USS Constitution.”

Laura Patterson had the following to say, “I don’t have much to tell, but I did get to go out to San Diego for the first time recently. I highly recommend it; the beaches at Coronado are beautiful and Josh and I also enjoyed kayaking over in La Jolla. I also got to go dog sledding with Josh in Leavenworth WA this winter, which was something I’ve always wanted to do and was great fun.”

Dan Wilson has been keeping busy since the last Webb News issue. Dan “just started a mixture

Ryan Pfeifer ‘11, Niko Martecchini ‘09, and Jon Dowsett ‘09 take a few hours out of the long weekend to act classy and try some New Nordic food.

Webb News - Summer 2015

35

Alumni News Class Notes of rock climbing (at a gym) and sailing in Annapolis Wednesday night races (training up for the next BVI trip!). Just finished up a bowling league and am about to resume powered paragliding training as the weather warms up.”

When Dan isn’t doing any of that stuff he’s playing croquet with girls’ hearts.

Niko Martecchini started a new job in January 2015, moving within Carnival to their New Builds department. He’s been keeping busy helping to design the next generation of the company’s ships, and taking advantage of the travel time by visiting Webbies in Europe.

Jon Dowsett really enjoyed skippering the best boat on the HBS BVI trip, the Sea Urchin, after the initial lack of experience terror subsided. “I’ve been doing a lot of fun trips lately – the travel addiction is as strong as ever – and I’m looking forward to the Webbie wedding line-up this summer.

Niko and Ryan Pfeifer came to visit me in Copenhagen, and we had a debilitating long weekend.

By the time this Webb News issue is published it’s very possible that we will have passed the date, 10 years ago, when we all met!”

Lauren Moeller is still missing! If anyone knows of an email address or phone number for Lauren, please get in touch with the Class Agent so that we don’t lose our classmate to time. We miss you Lauren!

2011

Ben and Maria Fisher are going all out in creating a vegetable garden and mini orchard on our property, and we are frantically trying to finish our major garden projects before our second baby arrives in early June!

Lindy Carelli is off exploring the world from her dusty home in Bahrain. While at home she tends to her fish, Fifi and Brian, and has recently added high school math teacher to her long list of odd jobs.

Jenna Ferrieri is still working for Leidos in San Diego and teaching part-time for JWorld Performance Sailing. She is rebounding from knee surgery but after a few weeks of no weight bearing, progress has gotten better and she was just cleared to start sailing again!

She can’t wait to get back out on the water and represent her new sponsor, Navionics. Free time not spent out on the water usually consists of hikes with the dog and last minute planning for her

upcoming wedding to William Markuske.

Brent Morrison loves working for Glosten and enjoys living in Seattle.

Though Lidia Needham had a nice time in San Diego, working at NASSCO for 10 weeks, she is happy to be back on Shelter Island with Schuyler, working from home.

2014

Elli Wunder is working on buying a house, hiking, and kayaking scenic ME. She is also working on the OPC project at BIW. Amy Zahray has been working for VARD Marine in Houston, TX. She recently spent six weeks working in Vancouver, BC at the North Vancouver VARD office.

In her free time, she has enjoyed playing soccer on a 6v6 team in Houston.

Henry Jansen is a shipbuilder by day, boxer by night, and a runner of wooded paths on weekends.

He wishes he had time to improve upon his violin skills.

Eric Harris has been working on two 75-ft catamaran designs for Metal Shark Boats, one a fire boat for the Port of South Louisiana, and one a dive boat for Aqueos.

John Carlson is currently volunteering his free time with California Ships to Reefs, an organization handling the sinking of ships to create diver-friendly wrecks. Their current project is a 220-ft Mexican patrol boat that will be sunk off the coast of Rosarito Beach this summer.

Jenna ‘11, Will ‘10, Ethan ‘11, Lidia ‘11, Ilya ‘16, Jon ‘09, and Courtney on a ferry heading from Coronado to downtown San Diego!

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Webb News - Summer 2015

David Smith has survived the harsh winter in the northeast, though it seems like it is still ongoing some days. He enjoys

Alumni News Class Notes spending his free time playing in the EB softball, dodgeball, and floor hockey leagues.

Now that Conor P.J. O’Sullivan lives on an island in the San Francisco Bay, he avoids surfing, skiing, and other fun hobbies at all costs. He loves his new job at Herbert Engineering and continues to battle through stand-up open mics in hopes of becoming Webb’s first comedian alumnus.

Connor Bennett has been hanging out in New Orleans with Stacey Bishop ’12 and their two cats, Roux and Raven in their 100 year-old “grocery-store-turnedapartment.” He misses the surf, but loves the jazzy vibes and warm weather.

Matthew Graham currently lives in Mobile, AL, and is really

enjoying life after Webb. He sleeps far more than he ever did at Webb, but his coffee mug is still always full. He spends most of his time either at the office of Ship Architects, Inc. or at some church event. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends that have already become like family.

Rachel Walker and Samuel Granger are enjoying their respective jobs as naval architects in Seattle. Free time is spent playing with their new puppy, Davy Jones Walker, who is being spoiled with love and attention from the alumni community across the Pacific Northwest.

Samantha Griswold is enjoying her time in the Pacific Northwest.

From the scenic hikes, amazing coffee, and farm-to-table brunches, there is nothing not to love about working in Seattle. As

A Recognized Leader in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

far as work is concerned, she is enjoying the challenges of working at a shipyard and is excited about the positive changes that lie ahead for Vigor!

Yet to put his hard-earned Webb education to any good use, Nathan Fast has spent his time since graduation around boats with sails and enjoying New England’s above average ski season.

Since graduating from Webb, James Codega has moved to Southern VA to work with his dad designing fiberglass sport fishing boats and aluminum work boats.

In his spare time, he coaches sailing, goes sailing, and fixes up sailboats that he may have broken.

Randall Neureuter has moved to Seattle and is enjoying his time working for Guido Perla & Associates Inc.

Jensen Maritime has experience designing and modifying virtually every type of vessel from concept through to construction.

As a Crowley company, Jensen offers employees the opportunity to achieve personal and professional fulfillment, recognition and financial stability. Our employees benefit from the importance Crowley places on safety, professional development and recognition, all of which contribute to strong employer/employee loyalty, durability and business continuity.

To view current vacancies with Crowley and Jensen Maritime, visit Crowley’s career page: crowley.com/careers/working-at-crowley

Webb News - Summer 2015

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Heritage Society: The Two Youngest Members Speak Out

Hampton Dixon ‘11 Let’s get a few things cleared up: No, I’m not from the Class of 1911. Yes, my classmate Brent Morrison and I might be two of the youngest members of the Heritage Society, and no, it’s not too early to think about the macabre, but I don’t look at it that way.

annually, and I aspired to continue that in perpetuity like some of the benefactors I met as a student. That simple paperwork exercise in my first week of a real job set that plan in motion, and I was suddenly a member of the Heritage Society.

I like to think that Webb found me through an alumnus in a providential encounter near my hometown in Kingsland, Georgia. As soon as I heard about the campus on the Sound, the intimate class size, and the incredible family-like support while studying naval architecture and marine engineering, I was sold. The campus visit in the fall of 2006 cemented my belief that my college pursuit was Webb or bust.

Will that policy be my final bequest to Webb? Probably not. The important thing was to get in the habit of thinking about Webb when talking about my priorities after death. The reality of estate planning hit very close to home when my father died unexpectedly in a car accident. He was young–in his 50’s–and the proper legal instruments were not in place. As a result, my mother and I navigated some difficult challenges to settle the estate. After that experience, I was further convinced to sort out my own priorities in writing, including a perpetual gift to Webb.

After four long but incredible years and a great career opportunity born through a Webb Winter Work experience, I found myself filing paperwork for my employer-sponsored life insurance plan. When it came time to name a beneficiary, I named Webb. I knew when I graduated that I wanted to give back to Webb

It’s not easy for someone in his 20’s to talk about mortality, but I strongly believe more of us should consider stepping up early to leave a perpetual gift to Webb. Having a plan in place, even if it changes over time, can make a difficult time for loved ones just a little bit easier.

Webb was the only place I wanted to go. I loved naval architecture, New York, and studying. Free tuition was compelling because I had already taken an expensive degree. I often marvel at how lucky I’ve been to get into Webb, to make great friends there, to make it through the program, and to land the dream job at Glosten that I have today.

I’d leave behind a mess that didn’t represent my priorities.

I made several changes to address my goals and my tolerance for risk.

Brent J. Morrison ‘11

I joined the Heritage Society in 2014 as part of a longoverdue financial makeover. It was spurred in part by the death of a relative and the role that I took in settling her estate. I realized that if I died suddenly, 38

In terms of managing risk, I want to give aggressively to Webb annually because the money is needed and my gifts are generously matched

by Glosten. But I also need to save for all the good and bad events that might happen in my life. By including Webb in my estate plan, I can give sensibly now while

Webb News - Summer 2015

ensuring that Webb will get some of the money that I don’t end up spending on life’s good and bad surprises. That’s my impression of what the Townes did, and I admire them deeply for that.

In terms of reaching goals, I’d like to see Webb continue to offer the best degree in the business, for free, in modern facilities in Glen Cove, while drawing sustainably on its endowment. We can’t reach that goal without alumni making both annual and

planned gifts.

It’s so important for young alumni to be proactive about financial planning, because a little bit of effort now could make a difference of millions of dollars by the time they retire. Estate planning is an integral part of financial planning. Why put it off? It was really fun to think about how much I could do for others with the resources that I might not need in my lifetime.

The Webb Heritage Society was formally established by the Webb Board of Trustees in 1991 to honor those who have displayed generosity and foresight by taking steps to remember Webb Institute in their estate planning. There are currently 196 members. To learn more about the Heritage Society, please contact the Development Office at 516-759-2040.

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Webb News - Summer 2015

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Webb Institute

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Webb News

Webb Institute Magazine Summer 2015

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Vol.27

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