Chancellor King Celebrates First "SUNY Maritime Day" at New York State Capitol

Chancellor King Joined SUNY Maritime Leadership and Student Cadets to Celebrate the College During Inaugural Event

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Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today celebrated SUNY Maritime College during the inaugural SUNY Maritime Day at the New York State Capitol. SUNY Maritime leaders and students from the SUNY Maritime Regiment of Cadets joined Chancellor King to celebrate the college and showcase the excellent educational opportunities and job training programs available at the college.

"As the nation's first public maritime college, SUNY Maritime is a leader in preparing students to pursue successful, high-paying, and in-demand careers in the maritime industry," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The college serves as a vital institution that opens the doors for students to access upward mobility and long-term success. I was excited to join SUNY Maritime students and leadership to celebrate the inaugural SUNY Maritime Day and highlight the affordable, excellent education available at the college."

SUNY Board Trustee Marcos Crespo said, "Today, and every day, we are proud to showcase SUNY Maritime's rich history, extraordinary potential, and dedicated students and leadership. This campus provides essential opportunities for New Yorkers seeking careers as mariners. We thank Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their steadfast support and investment in SUNY Maritime, and all of our SUNY campuses and students."

The inaugural SUNY Maritime Day at the New York State Capitol included formal recognition of college leaders and students in the State Senate Chamber and in the State Assembly Chamber. Leaders and students from SUNY Maritime also met with elected officials to provide information about the programs and opportunities available through the college.

SUNY Maritime College President Rear Admiral John Okon said, "Today's SUNY Maritime College Day at the State Capitol is an opportunity to highlight the extraordinary work happening at SUNY Maritime and the dedication of our Cadets preparing to lead in the maritime industry, armed forces, and global workforce. For more than 150 years, SUNY Maritime has combined rigorous academics with hands-on training and leadership development that prepares students for high-demand careers. SUNY Maritime is proud to deliver the #1 return on investment across all public colleges and universities in the nation, demonstrating the powerful impact a Maritime education has on students' futures. Our Cadets graduate ready to serve and to help keep the world's commerce moving safely across the seas, the backbone of the global economy. We are grateful to Chancellor King and our partners in state government for their continued support of maritime education and workforce development. Together, we are strengthening New York's leadership in maritime training, economic opportunity, and global commerce."

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, "It's an honor to partner with SUNY Maritime College. Having such a prestigious and historic institution in the Bronx is a source of pride for our community and a powerful asset for our future. I'm proud to support SUNY Maritime today and as it continues to shape the next generation of leaders."

State Assemblymember Michael Benedetto said, "I'm proud to have SUNY Maritime in my district and to celebrate its impact here at the State Capitol on SUNY Maritime Day. The college continues to open doors for students, strengthen our workforce, and serve as a cornerstone of opportunity and excellence in our community. It is important to bring these leaders here to share the vital work being done at such a great school."

SUNY Maritime students who participated in the inaugural SUNY Maritime Day at the State Capitol include:

• Cadet First-Class Stephanie DeMan of Pleasant Valley, NY
• Cadet First-Class Pietro Lorino of West Nyack, NY
• Cadet First-Class Samuel Petramale of Poughkeepsie, NY
• Cadet First-Class James Wageman of Breezy Point, NY
• Cadet Second-Class Cecilla DeMallie of Naples, NY
• Cadet Second-Class Peter Demontreux of Staten Island, NY
• Cadet Second-Class Elton Endress of Hamburg, NY
• Cadet Second-Class Alex Heise of Levittown, NY
• Cadet Second-Class Nicholas Lebron of Washingtonville, NY
• Cadet Third-Class Maximillian Gurnett of Bayside, NY
• Cadet Third-Class Alexa Nolan of Howard Beach, NY
• Cadet Third-Class Nicole Ostapowicz of Amityville, NY
• Cadet Fourth-Class Peyton Langguth of Bronx, NY
• Cadet Fourth-Class Lola Pelaez of New York, NY
• Cadet Fourth-Class Joseph Saraceni of Baldwinsville, NY
• Cadet Fourth-Class Christopher Taylor of Babylon, NY

Founded in 1874, SUNY Maritime College offers over a dozen undergraduate majors – including five ABET-accredited engineering programs, two master's degree options, and a renowned U.S. Coast Guard license program. Beyond the classroom, SUNY Maritime College fosters hands-on learning and leadership with over 50 student clubs and organizations, 13 NCAA Division III teams, and independent collegiate sports. SUNY Maritime College is also home to the only Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in New York City.

SUNY also administers the SUNY Maritime Pay It Forward Fund, established in 2024 to help fill maritime workforce gaps and increase access to economic mobility. The fund helps Pell-eligible New York State residents pay for the costs of their Summer Sea Term, a requirement for U.S. Coast Guard licenses. In the 2025-26 Enacted State Budget, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature secured an additional $1 million to grow the Pay It Forward Fund to a total of $5 million. The program provides students with 0% interest, $0 fee outcomes-based loans, with loan repayments from students or employers being recycled to support future students.

About SUNY Maritime

The State University of New York Maritime College has a rich history dating back to 1874 and is the oldest State Maritime Academy. Established as the New York Nautical School, it was the first institution in the United States to offer commercial nautical instruction. The school's creation was driven by a need for trained maritime professionals, especially after the Civil War. Initially, the school operated aboard the USS St. Mary's, a sloop-of-war acquired from the U.S. Navy. Over time, the curriculum evolved to include advanced subjects in navigation, engineering, and marine sciences. In 1907, the training vessel was replaced by the USS Newport, a sail-steam hybrid. Facing financial challenges, the State of New York assumed control of the institution in 1913, renaming it the New York State Nautical School. The school continued to grow, and in 1929, it became the New York State Merchant Marine Academy. A significant milestone occurred in 1938, when the academy relocated to the historic Fort Schuyler in the Bronx, NY, providing a permanent shore-based training facility. In 1949, the academy joined the State University of New York (SUNY) System, adopting its current name.

Maritime College is more than just an institution – it's the Peninsula of Opportunity and an engine of upward mobility. Maritime College offers a unique opportunity to Chart Your Course—a personalized experience where you select the path that aligns with your aspirations. Whether you choose to thrive in the structured, leadership-focused environment of the Regiment or enjoy the flexibility of the traditional student lifestyle, Maritime empowers you to shape your future both academically and professionally. On board Training Ship Empire State VII, and with more than a dozen undergraduate majors—including four ABET-accredited engineering programs, two master's degree options, and a renowned U.S. Coast Guard license program—Maritime College arms you with the skills to navigate, power, and operate the world's maritime industry. Beyond the classroom, Maritime fosters hands-on learning and leadership development with over 50 student clubs and organizations, 13 NCAA Division III teams, independent collegiate sports, and various programs, including the only Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in New York City. The college's global alumni network offers unparalleled career connections and support. As higher education continues to evolve, Maritime College remains steadfast in its mission to develop the next generation of leaders who will navigate the future with integrity and vision. Our legacy, rooted in loyalty, valor, and leadership, will continue to guide us into the next 150 years. New York Maritime – First and Foremost.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country's oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.