News From Fort Schuyler
March 8, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 9
REMEMBERING STAN - On Sunday, March 3, 2002, the college lost one of its
most vibrant, charismatic and thoughtful administrators with the death from
cancer of STAN MELASKY, Executive Director of the Maritime College at Fort
Schuyler Foundation. Stan, a big, genial man with an exuberant personality,
arrived at Fort Schuyler in 1998. He was a quick study and soon deeply
involved in college life. A staunch supporter of library and campus cultural
activities, Stan used his network of contacts and broad range of experience
in developing programs. According to his foundation colleague, Anne Marie
Antonescu, Stan attended "...DeWitt Clinton HS in the Bronx, got his BA in
Communications at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a
Certificate in Fundraising at Hofstra University. He did fundraising in New
York, Toronto and Illinois. He had his own business in Toronto.." setting
up, among other things, the national fundraising campaign for the Canadian
Hemophilia Society. While in Canada, Stan also gained recognition as a
musician, playing guitar and bass with Mikel Miller's Yukon-based folk group
during its formative years in the 1980's.
The Foundation's chairman, RON RASMUS, Class of 1960, posted a tribute
to Stan in the Class News 'Ebb Tide' section at the Alumni Association
website (www.fsmaa.org/classes/EbbTide.cfm). It reads in part: "Those of us who
worked with Stan, know that he was a sincere and gentle person with a very
kind heart, and truly believed in his work and loved the Maritime College
and its cadets. He did great things for the Foundation and the Maritime
College, and most recently, just prior to becoming ill, was successful in
obtaining the largest scholarship endowment gift in the College's history.
So many acts of kindness and generosity to cadets can be attributed to Stan,
who could always be counted upon to help or get help for a cadet in
distress, or assist a college organization in need."
Stan is survived by his wife Pamela and a son.
MARKING FIFTEEN YEARS - There was an all-star cast at the 15th Annual Black
History Month banquet held on 28 February. The program, sponsored by the
Maritime College chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and the
Cultural Club, featured music by Saint Augustine's College Gospel Choir and
a presentation about the black navigator, politician, and former slave -
Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797) by CAPT MARK BODDEN, Class of 1978. Scholarship
funds were presented to the college, on behalf of the Organization of Black
Maritime Graduates, by CAPT ROBERT COOK, Class of 1980 and CAPT HOWARD B.
WYCHE, Class of 1979. This year an OBMG award recognized the suspended
Chairman of the Engineering Department, CHARLES MUNSCH, Class of 1973, for
his outstanding service to the college as a mentor, coach, and teacher.
INSIDER RATE FOR ALL - The Admissions Office has answered a recent query
from JIM MALONEY, Class of 1980, who asked if NY resident tuition rates
applied to all regional applicants, or just those choosing the full
license/regiment/Merchant Marine Reserve program. Admissions replied: "All
students at Maritime College, whether MMR or not, benefit from the regional
status with Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. All students
from these states pay NY tuition rates ($3,400 tuition per year) as opposed
to out-of-region tuition ($8,300) This is a savings of $19, 600 over four
years."
"Cadets who are selected for the federal Student Incentive Program (SIP)
receive $3000 per year. They must be US citizens, physically qualified for
the merchant marine license and not have reached their 25th birthday at the
start of the program. Out-of-region students who are selected to participate
in SIP pay in-region tuition fees in addition to the $3000 incentive
payment."
Jim concludes: "When a job is well done, it should be recognized. The
Admissions Office responded ... with a thorough explanation ... Kudos to Ms.
WHITMAN [Deirdre A. Whitman, Vice President of Enrollment Management and
Campus Life] and her staff for providing a prompt and thorough response..."
CADETS HELPING OTHERS - Here's an update from Student Propeller Club
Secretary TIM MURRAY, Class of 2002: "About 12 members traveled to the
Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park ... to serve the families a dinner
provided by the Outback Steakhouse in Bayside. We received a very warm
response from all the families, whose children are patients in the Schneider
Children's Hospital...Two families were not able to attend the dinner
because of their children's condition, so four of our members brought the
hot meal to them in the hospital. ..... we are looking forward to future
opportunities to serve the community." [Well done.]
ALUMNI CREW CRUISE - The D.C. Chapter of the Alumni Association invites
alumni and friends to join them in Baltimore for a two-hour cruise aboard
the gaff rigged topsail schooner, CLIPPER CITY, on May 19, 2002.
(www.sailingship.com) Cost: Adults - $13, Children under ten - $10. Bring
your own food, buy drinks on board. RSVP by 3 May to chapter treasurer,
DOLORES MERCIER, Class of 1993 (dmercier@comdt.uscg.mil).
MARITIME SOLIDARITY - The Superintendent of Kings Point, RADM JOE STEWART,
will be making his "State of the Academy' presentation in San Diego on 20
April. Alumni and friends of all state schools are invited to attend this
dinner program at the Marine Corps Depot - Bayview Restaurant. CAPT ED
DANGLER, Class of 1949, writes that: "It would be great if we had a huge
turnout of 'Domers', maybe even more than KP, to show our solidarity with
maritime training needs and learn about the upcoming plans of Admiral
Stewart. As is my custom, the first round of cocktails or other libation at
any event sponsored by KP is hosted by me for all Domers." Contact Capt Stan
Westover for additional information - swestove@portofsandiego.org
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