The Webb Alumni Association is excited to announce this year’s new Honorary Members. Honorary Members are selected through an alumnus selection ballot.
Mrs. Mary “Molly Luke”
The WAA Executive Committee recommended Molly Luke for Honorary Membership in the Alumni Association in recognition of her many years of friendship and dedication to Webb Institute. Molly is the daughter of William Selkirk Owen and Eleanor Doty Owen. She was ten years old when her father, a member of the Webb class of 1903, accepted the position as Professor of Naval Architecture and Dean of the Faculty and she and her parents moved from Montclair, New Jersey into the forty-two room building in the Bronx that was Webb. Roger Luke, a member of the class of 1931 was a sophomore when the Owens arrived and he is said to have offered his help to the Owen family as they settled in. Years later, Molly married Roger Luke, and they eventually moved to Maine.
She has long been known for her infectious enthusiasm. This daughter of a much loved Webb professor and the widowed wife of a Webb graduate is, herself, much loved and admired by all who have had the good fortune to know her. She continues to be an avid supporter of Webb. Watch her interview from 2014 on Vimeo.
Robert C. Olsen, Jr., Rear Admiral, USCG (Ret.)
The WAA Executive Committee recommended Admiral Robert Olsen for Honorary Membership in the Alumni Association in recognition of his term as Presidency during which he exhibited a sincere passion for Webb and its students. Prior to becoming President of Webb, Admiral Olsen served a long and successful career in the U.S. Coast Guard. From 1969 to 1990 he commanded three CG Cutters of various sizes, served in various administrative and operational assignments ashore, and attended two graduate schools. From 1990-1992, Admiral Olsen served as Commanding Officer on USCG Cutter DALLAS, based in Governors Island, NY. In 1992, Admiral Olsen returned to the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. He served as Commandant of Cadets from 1992-1994 and then as Assistant Superintendent from 1994-1996. From 1996 to 1998, he served as Chief of Staff for the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, Florida, and from 1998-2001 he was the Director of Personnel Management for the U. S. Coast Guard. In 2001 he returned to New London, Connecticut to serve as Superintendent for the USCG Academy.
As President of Webb from 2005 through 2013, Admiral Olsen oversaw ABET and Middle States Accreditation processes and served as Chair of three Middle States re-accreditation team visits for other colleges and universities. Admiral Olsen was the founding force behind the formal Student Leadership Program of Webb Institute.
Professor Edwin G. Wiggins
The WAA Executive Committee recommended Edwin Wiggins for Honorary Membership in the Alumni Association in recognition of his 28-plus years of support and service to Webb Institute and his dedication to the education of Webb students. Ed Wiggins holds B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Purdue University in chemical, nuclear and mechanical engineering respectively. He spent 13 years in the US Navy as an engineering duty officer, serving as docking officer at Charleston Naval Shipyard and chief engineer of a guided missile destroyer. His teaching career began at Texas Maritime Academy, where he earned a license as a second assistant engineer (steam) and made three training cruises on the Texas Clipper. In 1982 Ed became head of the engineering department at the US Merchant Marine Academy. Five years later he joined the faculty of Webb Institute, where he finally settled down before retiring in 2015. At his retirement reception Ed said “It has been my privilege to spend 28 years teaching students with a genuine thirst for knowledge and the intellectual ability to absorb it at an amazing pace.”
At Webb, Ed has taught a wide variety of courses ranging from chemistry and materials science to thermodynamics and heat transfer – his favorite being Marine Engineering 4 which features the design of propulsion plants. In 1987 he took a leadership role at Webb, and he remained dedicated to the school until his retirement 28 years later. He served as Dean of the Faculty between 1987 – 1992 and was the Mandell & Lester Rosenblatt Professor of Marine Engineering since 2000. During his time at Webb, Ed represented SNAME at the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), serving eleven years on the Engineering Accreditation of ABET and three years on the ABET Board of Directors. He is a Fellow of SNAME and served as chairman of the NY Metropolitan Section and as a regional vice president. Ed is also a Fellow of IMarEST and a member of America Society for Engineering Education.