KINGS POINT, New York, March 20, 2014 – CAPT John C. Kennedy, Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), has announced that Mr. Thomas F. McCaffery, Class of 1976, will be the speaker at the 2014 Battle Standard Dinner, which will be held on Monday, April 7, 2014. The Battle Standard Dinner is an annual event at USMMA.  It is hosted by the first class and honors the memories of the 142 Cadet Midshipmen who lost their lives during World War II.

KINGS POINT, NY – March 13, 2014 – On Monday, March 3, 2014, The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) hosted Adam C. La Reau during the first Lanier Speaker Series & Dinner of 2014.  This most recent dinner was dedicated to the memory of J. Smith Lanier '50, who passed away last December. The Distinguished Speaker Series is funded through an endowment from Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith Lanier.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., March 5, 2014  – United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Alumnus, CPT David Taliaferro, Class of 2007, has been chosen to lead 130 soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 133rd Quartermaster Company / U.S. Central Command Materiel Recovery Element (CMRE), based out of Fort Hamilton, NY,  during their mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 25, 2014 - The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Regimental Band, "George M. Cohan's Own", has been selected to march in New York City’s 253^rd St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.   The parade will be held on Monday, March 17^th starting at 11 am.

KINGS POINT, N.Y.  February 21, 2014 -Today, Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Superintendent announced that Acceptance Day for the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Class of 2018 will be held on Saturday, August 9^th 2014.  In recent years, Acceptance Day was held during Parents Weekend, but going forward Plebe Candidates and their families will enjoy a separate weekend that celebrates their accomplishments.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 14, 2014 - On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 Dr. Jennifer L. Speelman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) lectured a group of retired individuals at the Cumberland Avenue Adult Education Center in Great Neck. Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Superintendent applauded Dr. Speelman’s engagement with the community and said, “it is our strong desire as an institution to be better connected with our neighbors.”

KINGS POINT, N.Y. January 22, 2014 - The United States Merchant Marine Academy  (USMMA) formally accepted a donation of $ 739,305 from the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc, (AAF). The gift was presented by AAF President, Captain Jim Tobin, and is consistent with AAF’s charitable mission to benefit the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Regiment of Midshipmen and Alumni.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 11, 2014 - Deputy Superintendent Rear Admiral Susan Dunlap and Assistant Academic Dean Commander Preston DeJean were joined by USMMA faculty and staff to congratulate 212 midshipmen for their outstanding efforts in the classroom and at sea. The event was marked by the distribution of Academic Gold and Silver Stars for Term 1 Academic Year 2014.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 10, 2014 – On Tuesday, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) received a gift of $50,000  from the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation (USMMAAF) on behalf of the Class of 1962.  This generous donation will be placed in the Class of 1962 Fund for Midshipmen Professional and Leadership Development.

KINGS POINT, N.Y., January 30, 2014  – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today announced that the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and America’s six state maritime Academies will each receive $ 1 million from a government program that recycles obsolete vessels.  The funding will help ensure well-educated and highly skilled U.S. Merchant Marine officers are available to meet our nation’s national security and economic needs.