Maritime College Family,

What a week at Fort Schuyler!

The excitement and energy across campus last week were unbelievable. From Convocation on Tuesday, to welcoming our newest students and celebrating Academic Day on Friday, to Indoctrination Graduation on Saturday, and finally welcoming our returning students back to the residence halls yesterday — it was an incredible week for the Maritime College family. Thank you to everyone who helped make each of these moments special. Whether you were welcoming students and families, celebrating their achievements, supporting our events, preparing our campus, or working behind the scenes, your hard work and commitment made a tremendous difference. Most importantly, thank you for helping us get ready for today — the start of the 2026–2027 Academic Year!

As we begin this new academic year, I couldn’t be more excited about where we are headed. Please take a moment to read my welcome letter, attached here and also posted on social media and our website. Our future has never been brighter, and each of us has an important role to play in honoring our proud heritage, stewarding the legacy entrusted to us, and building on that legacy for the generations of maritime leaders who will follow. A special congratulations to our 2026 President’s Faculty and Staff Award Winners Zoey Zibor, Empire State (Staff Excellence); Svitlana Korotash, Business Office (Staff Leadership); Alex El Helou, Admissions (Staff Outstanding Service); Saverio Grosso, Engineering (Faculty Teaching); Harris Eisenstadt, Humanities (Faculty Scholarship); and Kathy Olszewski, Science (Faculty Outstanding Service)!

Here are a few additional highlights and updates from around campus:

Digital IDs. The long-awaited Digital ID is now available. 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.

Tomb Lecture Series. Mark your calendars for September 3, 2026, when acclaimed author Jessica DuLong will visit Maritime College to discuss Saved at the Seawall and the maritime community's extraordinary role in the largest boat rescue in history during the 9/11 response. Sponsored by the Maritime College Alumni Association Class of 1946 Fund, the day will include a special student and faculty session from 3:00–4:00 PM. An evening program will begin with a cocktail reception from 5:30–6:30 PM, followed by the Tomb Leadership Lecture from 7:00–8:00 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author and receive a signed copy of her book. Reserve your seat for the reception and evening lecture here.

Admiral's Dinner. The Admiral’s Dinner is September 15 at Marina del Rey. This is our premier fundraising event, creating access and opportunity by helping eliminate financial barriers for our talented students. Scholarship support has never been more important. I hope you will join us as we celebrate leadership, achievement, and the transformative power of Maritime Nation. You can purchase tickets or sponsorships on our website. I look forward to seeing everyone there for what promises to be a very special evening for our College and, most importantly, for our students.

Fall Commencement. On Thursday, September 10, at 3:00 PM, Maritime Nation will gather in the MAC MPR for our Fall Commencement ceremony. This special occasion brings together students, faculty, staff, families, and friends to celebrate the achievements and dedication of our graduating class. We are honored to welcome home John Dabbar ’82, Executive Director, National Petroleum Council, as our Guest Speaker. I hope to see everyone there!

Enhancing Campus Access and Security. The safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors remains one of our highest priorities. This fall, we will begin implementing a new campus access strategy that modernizes how our facilities are secured while maintaining a welcoming environment. The first phase will focus on our residence halls. Beginning this fall, badge access after 7:00 PM will be limited to residents of each building and those requiring access (Clubs, RA, regimental leadership, etc.), and will require a valid College ID for entry. To gain access to a Resident Hall after 7:00 PM you will need a resident of the hall to let you in. Throughout the academic year, we will discuss an approach to expand this to academic and administrative buildings, creating a more consistent, secure, and technology-enabled access system across campus. Additional information, including implementation timelines and visitor access procedures, will be shared with the campus community before each phase is introduced.

Heritage Hall. Each year during Homecoming, we have the privilege of inducting new members into Heritage Hall, located beneath the Special Events Room. Established by the Class of 1946 as their 50th Reunion gift to the College, Heritage Hall preserves the rich history and traditions of Maritime College while recognizing distinguished alumni and honoring the individuals whose vision, leadership, and service helped build the foundation of the world-class institution we are today. If you know someone deserving of this distinguished recognition, I encourage you to submit a nomination by completing the nomination form by Friday, August 21, 2026.

Call for Honorary Degree Nominations. The call for nominations for SUNY Honorary Doctoral Degrees, the highest recognition conferred by the SUNY Board of Trustees, is now open. The award honors individuals of exceptional distinction whose achievements, public service, philanthropy, or contributions to society exemplify SUNY's mission, inspire its diverse student body, and elevate the College's reputation through excellence and leadership. Submit your nominations via this nomination link no later than September 18.

SUNY Leadership Institute Programs. Faculty and staff who may be interested or want to learn more about this year’s SUNY Leadership Institute Programs and the nomination process can attend an information session on Thursday, August 13 via Zoom, from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Register for the session here. Leadership opportunities exist in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Leadership Institute (AANHPI-LI), Black Leadership Institute (BLI), Disability Support Leadership Institute (DSLI), and Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI). Interested individuals should reach out to their respective cabinet member to apply.

Student Success Center. Over the course of two in-person campus listening sessions last spring, we received valuable insights, thoughtful ideas, and constructive feedback regarding the development of the Student Success Center. As we begin to put ideas into action, I encourage you to share your comments and recommendations through the Student Affairs - Student Success Center Feedback Form. A cross-campus steering group has been established to help refine the vision and move the project forward this year. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Dean Adam Grohman.

Athletics. The start of the season for Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, Football, and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country is next week, and Sailing the following week! Come get a sneak peek at our Privateers for home scrimmages this week: Men’s and Women’s Soccer Wednesday, and Football Thursday.

With utmost respect,
John