Maritime College Family,
Last week, we celebrated our students’ academic accomplishments at the Fall “Stars” Ceremony. Thank you to everyone who came out to recognize and support our students. We also received some very good news regarding our 9/11 Great Boatlift Monument. The FDNY has gifted Maritime College a piece of steel from the World Trade Center that we will incorporate into the monument. This meaningful piece of history will help us tell the story of the thousands of mariners and civilian boat operators who answered the call.
There is still no final decision by the federal government on when Empire State VII will be activated or depart Olivet Pier. Scheduled maintenance continues and based on the absence of a decision and current contract timelines, I do not expect the ship to depart this week.
Additional highlights and many new updates from around campus:
Open House. This Saturday, October 3, we will have over 350 prospective students and their families on campus for our first Open House of the year. Please attend and show them what the Maritime Family is all about!
Blood Drive. Show up, roll up a sleeve, and make a real impact! Join us for the Fall Semester Blood Drive today, September 28, in the MAC MPR from 10:30 AM–7:30 PM and help save lives in our community.
Midnight Run. Our annual Midnight Run is this Wednesday, September 30, from 8:30 PM to midnight. The Midnight Run is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting unhoused individuals living on the streets of Manhattan by providing essential items/food, and, most importantly, a compassionate human connection. If you have any questions or want to participate, please contact Tina at housing@sunymaritime.edu.
El Faro Memorial Ceremony. This Thursday, October 1, at 07:15 AM, we will gather in the quad to remember those lost in the tragic sinking of the cargo ship El Faro. Please join us in paying tribute to Rich Pusatere ’03 and the 33 souls who were lost that day. Rich's Mom, Dad, Wife, and Daughter will be in attendance. I encourage everyone to read, Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Slade, a 2017 nonfiction book about the loss of the American cargo ship El Faro during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month - October. Stop by the Student Union on Thursday, October 1st, from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM to engage with Title IX, the Bronx DA, and the NYC Crime Victims Treatment Center and learn about healthy relationships, how to help others, and to keep ourselves safe for a lifetime.
Nutritionist Visit. Chartwells Regional Nutritionist, Simone Gmuca, will visit Friday, October 2, to kick off our first Teaching Kitchen session from 12:00-12:45 PM. She will also be available between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to engage with students, answer questions, and provide nutrition-related guidance. See the Chartwell kiosk Screen for additional information.
Revolutionary War on Throggs Neck. Did you know there was a pivotal battle on Throggs Neck and in the surrounding waters that helped save General Washington's Army and preserve the fight for American Independence? Learn more about this important part of our local history by attending the Revolution on the Sound Symposium this Sunday, October 4, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Special Events Room.
Career Fair. Attention Students, October 6-7 from 12:00-4:00 PM in the gym, employers are coming to campus to recruit you! This is a great opportunity to network, find employment, and internships. Don't miss the opportunity. Professional attire is required (the uniform for Regimental Cadets is Salt and Peppers). Professional profile photos will be offered to students, faculty and staff. Contact Michelle Reina for more details.
New Student Code of Conduct. The 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct is available. Dean Grohman and Dean Romeo will host information sessions on September 29 (Student Union MPR) and October 6 (Special Events Room) during College Activity Hour, 3:00-4:00 PM. I recommend that students read it in its entirety.
Residence Hall Naming. Be part of history! The Student Government Association (SGA) is leading a campus-wide solicitation of name suggestions for the traditional/GH residence hall. The process will engage the Maritime College community in identifying and vetting naming options that reflect the spirit, history, and future of Maritime College. SGA will present the options to the Cabinet, which will provide a final recommendation to the College Council for consideration and approval. Submit your nomination by October 5 (in the student affairs initiative tab, select "new dorm naming recommendation" in the drop-down).
Presidents Council on Campus Climate and Culture (PC4). PC4 meets periodically throughout the Academic Year charged to discuss ways and provide advice on how to better foster a campus environment that is open, safe, respectful and inclusive for all. The members are Tony DiPiazza, Stacy Evans, Mike Sobkow, Dr. Bob Kidd, Pat Norman, Adam Grohman, Lu Plaisance, Kieran Barrett, Justin Manjares, Rainer Santos Nunez, and Robert Wieczorek. Attached is the charter for the Council. We have two unfilled student spots on the Council. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Plaisance.
Title IX and Title VI Responsible Employee Training. All employees are required to complete 2026-2027 SUNY Employee Title IX and Title VI Training by October 31, 2026. The 20–25 minute training encourages reflection on how our actions contribute to an inclusive community, reinforces expectations for respectful engagement, and shares information about resources available if concerns arise. The training is a mandatory component of our compliance and fulfills the UUP Collective Bargaining Agreement. Upon completion, you will be designated as a responsible employee who is required to report perceived discrimination or harassment to the appropriate office on campus. The training is in Brightspace under My Courses/Professional Development. Access the training here.
Student Success Center (SSC). Dean Grohman is developing a cross-campus steering group to begin shaping the programs, services, and student supports that will be housed in the SSC, which will be based on the feedback provided through the Feedback Form over the past 5 months. The group will bring together representatives from across campus to identify priorities and move the SSC from concept to implementation this year. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Dean Adam Grohman.
Digital IDs. The Digital ID is here! To get started, download the TouchNet 360u app on our website and follow the setup instructions. Once activated, your Digital ID can be used anywhere your Maritime ID is accepted and will replace the physical card. Over the coming months, we will transition away from physical ID cards as the Digital ID becomes our standard campus credential. Download your Digital ID today and make the switch to a faster, more convenient way to access campus services.
APL Scholarship. APL is offering students at the State Maritime Academies a $25,000 one-year scholarship for eligible educational expenses for Fall 2027. Juniors and seniors in good standing enrolled in an unlimited-tonnage Deck or Engine license program, with strong academics, leadership, faculty recommendations, and a commitment to sailing commercially as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. Active-duty military commissioning students are not eligible; Navy Reserve SSO participation is permitted. Complete scholarship packages must be submitted directly to Klaus Luhta and Luc Saintgenies no later than October 31.
Scholarship Form Scholarship Rules
Athletics Hall of Fame. Our Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner will be held October 22 at 6:00 PM in the MAC MPR as a kick-off to homecoming. Register for the event here.
Athletics. Thanks to everyone who came out to support our student-athletes at the Fall Pep Rally last week! This week, come out and support our teams as the Women’s Soccer team takes on Mount St. Vincent at home Tuesday at 6:00 PM, the Volleyball team hosts St. Joseph’s Long Island on Thursday at 6:00 PM. Please wear teal to the volleyball match as we support our team’s initiative to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. The Hockey team opens the season this Friday at 5:45 PM against St. Johns at the Town of Oyster Bay Rink and we have a double-header women’s and men’s soccer against Sarah Lawrence on Saturday. Check out the latest results and full schedule for the upcoming week on the website.
With Great Respect,
John