MORE ON MR. MASON - Here is a query from PHIL DILLOWAY, Class of October 1946, "During our time at Schuyler there was an employee we only knew as 'Mr. Mason.' He wore a uniform, but no rank, and I believe he was the lighthouse keeper. I always remember him flying the various Storm Flags. He also had a wealth of information about the stars and other heavenly bodies." Phil, who has a picture of Mr. Mason, needs more information for a class publication he is editing. Contact him at dilloway@access-4-free.com

CADET MENTORS - The manager of the Alumni Association's Alumni/Cadet Mentoring Program, ED SHEPHERD, Class of 1957, is recruiting mentors for the Fall 2003 semester. The program, which began in Spring 2002 with 49 mentors and increased to 74 by the Fall semester, now needs 'scores' more mentors in order to handle the large 4th Class that arrives this Fall. Ed writes: "There is nothing complicated about being a mentor. It is simply an informal relationship between a cadet and a graduate of the college. The mentor provides ongoing moral support, encouragement, advice, and a perspective on where the cadet is along the path to achieving his or her goals, by giving honest feedback and guidance."

Mentors need not even live in the New York City area: "Although regular face-to-face contact is most desirable, those living farther away can be effective mentors through e-mail and telephone contact. The current group of mentors includes alumni from classes ranging from 1939 to 2003, in 17 states and two foreign countries."

"Here's how the program works. Alumni volunteers contact Shepherd (edshepherd@aol.com ) who gathers basic information about their background and personal and professional interests. He then provides the volunteers' information to the College, where a team of second-class indoctrination officers, under the direction of CAPTAIN RICK SMITH [Class of 1981], Commandant of Cadets, matches the mentors with the cadets. Every effort is made to pair alumni and cadets with common backgrounds and interests. Shepherd then notifies the volunteers of their cadet assignments, and the volunteers make initial contact with their cadets either in person, by e-mail or by telephone."

CALLING ALL HISTORY BUFFS - The Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler needs alumni input for two upcoming exhibitions ASAP (thanks to the NFFS ' hiatus.) Museum director, ERIC JOHANSSON, writes: "1. The museum will be showcasing the LOUIS WEICKUM '03 collection this Homecoming; that's 1903. The problem is there isn't any information available regarding Mr. Weickum's life. It would be helpful to know where he was born and raised; where he lived and whom did he work for; did he win any awards and /or achieve any professional rank (Captain/COO, etc.) and lastly, where did he die and are there any living relatives.?"

"2. The museum is also in need of memorabilia from the Training Ship EMPIRE STATE IV. We have an empty display case awaiting any appropriate items, perhaps from a class holding a reunion, i.e. Class of 1973." (You can contact Eric at ejohansson@sunymaritime.edu)

GREAT NEWS FOR A GREAT SCHOOL - This item from CHARLIE HUDSON, Class of 1990: "Citing the college's impeccable graduation rate and inimitable curriculum, author and higher education analyst, Michael P. Viollt, has included the State University of New York Maritime College in the third edition of his book, 'Great Colleges for the Real World: Get In. Get Out. Get a Job.'" Charlie also notes that the book can be purchased online from Amazon.com by using the Alumni Association link (so that 15% of the sale goes to the alumni association) at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575090848/sunymaritimea-20

THIS CAPTAIN IS AN ENGINEER - A recent note from CAPT. TIM DONOVAN, Class of 1969, concluded: "Oh yeah and don't let the Captain's license fool you. I'm an engineer, but got my limited tonnage captain's license recently. Just goes to show you, Deckies take 4 years at school and 4 years at sea to become Captain, engineers can do it in 9 days!"

CHESS OPEN - While the training ship was overseas, Fort Schuyler was the venue for the final round of the 2003 United States Junior Open [Chess] Tournament. According to an article in the 23 June issue of the New York Times: "It drew 110 players ages 21 and under, from as close as Queens to as far away as India."

1954 GET TOGETHER - Despite inclement weather, seven members of the Class of 1954 traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC for a golf outing. Participating in this informal golf reunion were: DICK CLARK, GEORGE CLARKE, PAT GILLEENY, HOWARD HORVATH, JAMES LYNCH, ROY NEUBERGER, and ROGER WESSEL.