KINGS POINT, N.Y., December 19, 2023 - The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point recently honored midshipmen who distinguished themselves academically and at sea during the first term of Academic Year 2024.

At a ceremony in Wiley Hall, Vice Admiral Joanna M. Nunan, Superintendent, Captain Mike Stroud, Acting Deputy Superintendent, and Captain Paul Acquaro, Director of the Academic Center for Excellence presented the Gold and Silver Stars to midshipmen who demonstrated academic excellence during the period. In addition to the academic awards, they presented Sea Year Ribbons to the Class of 2024-A Split, and Class of 2025-B Split midshipmen who excelled during Sea Year.

Capt. Acquaro said, “Congratulations to all of the midshipmen who have achieved these honors.” He went on to thank First Class Midshipmen Buddy Arensberg, Regimental Academic Officer, Lucas Musto  and Jacob Berault, Regimental Shipboard Training Liaison Officers, and the staff that make up the the Academic Center for Excellence, for all their efforts on behalf of the Regiment of Midshipmen.

Gold and Silver Academic Stars at USMMA are awarded on the following basis:

• Gold Star: a QPA of at least 3.50 with no course failures in the term;
• Silver Star: a QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 with no course failures in the term.

The full list of Academic Award recipients is accessible by clicking: Gold and Silver Stars Academic Year 2024, Term 1.

Sea Year Ribbons are awarded to those with:

• QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49; no failing grade;
• Above average (3.0) Shipboard Performance Evaluations, in PD&CS Shipboard Database at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.

The full list of Sea Year Ribbon recipients is accessible by clicking: Class of 2024-A and 2025-B Second Sailing Sea Year Ribbons.