Webb Institute’s Assistant Dean and John J. McMullen Professor of Humanities, Dr. Richard Harris, recently had two articles published on the American novelist Willa Cather.
Cather, known as one of the most important American novelists of the first half of the twentieth century, was born in Virginia in 1873 and settled in Webster County, Nebraska, in 1883. Before her passing in 1947, Cather wrote twelve novels, six collections of short fiction, two editions of a book of poetry, and nine works of nonfiction and collected journalism, speeches, and letters.
Harris’s first article, entitled “Thackeray’s Henry Esmond and The Virginians: Source Materials for Cather’s My Mortal Enemy,” came out of a paper he delivered in 2011 at the 13th Willa Cather International Seminar at Smith College in Massachusetts. That article was published in Cather Studies, Volume 10 in 2015. His second recent published work about Cather, entitled “Willa Cather and the Art of ‘Recoverable Contexts’: Source Materials for One of Ours,” was published in early 2016 in the Willa Cather Newsletter & Review. That article was based on a paper he presented at a Cather Symposium in Rome, Italy, in June 2014. Another article, “Willa Cather, Howard Pyle, and ‘The Precious Message of Romance,’” will appear in Cather Studies, Volume 11 later this year. Professor Harris also was a plenary speaker and a panelist at the 61st Cather Spring Conference in Nebraska in the first week in June. His paper was titled “Willa Cather’s ‘Doomed’ Novel: One of Ours and the Romance and Reality of War.”
Class of 2016 Graduates from Webb Institute
On Saturday June 18, Webb Institute awarded nineteen Bachelor of Science degrees at their 120th Commencement Ceremony. Each graduating student received a dual degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
Webb’s commencement ceremony, opened with the singing of the National Anthem by the WooFs (Webb Family Singers), and included inspirational remarks from the ceremony’s principal speaker, Donald T. (Boysie) Bollinger. Mr. Bollinger, retired chairman and CEO of Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards, was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree for his exceptional contributions to the marine industry. In Mr. Bollinger’s address to graduates, he expressed his confidence that the graduates were especially well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. “I’ve spent my entire career in the marine industry,” Bollinger said. “I’ve seen it wonderful and I’ve seen it miserable. It’s important you are able to maneuver through those wonderful times and those miserable times, because they will be coming. Whatever career path you think you have in your head now is not where you’re going to end up, because the world is not that clear of a blueprint, and your life is not as perfect as the science you have learned over the past four years.”
Additional remarks were made by Webb’s Chairman of the Board, George Campbell Jr., Ph.D., President R. Keith Michel, Dean Matt Werner, and the Class of 2016’s Student Speaker, Zachary Backas.
Backas’ heartfelt speech touched on the many triumphs and challenges his class encountered throughout their time at Webb, acknowledging that without the support of one another, completing the program would be impossible. “Thank you, to my class, for all that you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be standing here without you. With your help I’ve done more than I could have ever done on my own,” Backas expressed.
In addition to the awarding of degrees, some students received additional awards and prizes for their outstanding academic achievements in a variety of areas, such as excellence in thesis and mathematics.
Following commencement, Webb’s Class of 2016 will spread out across the country to begin their professional careers in the field of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Notable employers include, Bruce S. Rosenblatt & Associates, LLC, United States Coast Guard, Resolve Engineering Group, Brooklin Boat Yard, and many others.
For full video of Commencement
For Commencement Photo Gallery
Webb Hosts 2016 Gatsby Party
On Friday June 10, 2016, Webb hosted its Annual Gatsby Party to close out the Spring semester.
The 1920s inspired evening kicked off with a lobster dinner out on the back patio overlooking the beautiful campus landscape. Students, alumni and their guests indulged in lobster, chicken, vegetables, and Gatsby inspired petit fours.
Following the dinner, students dressed in their best 1920s inspired looks, and headed to the Visconti Reception Room for the party. The theme of this year’s party was “Prohibition”. The Visconti Reception Room was decorated with dozens of balloons, 1920s posters, and a photo booth.
Throughout the night, students enjoyed light snacks, fruity mocktails, and champagne, snapped photos, and danced to the sounds of Swing Street Ensembles, a live Jazz band.
Webb would like to thank Peggy Michel and Flik Dining for preparing and serving food and drinks for the event, as well as Megan and Bree for coordinating, and decorating.
Webb Hosts 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk Race
On Friday, June 3, 2016, Webb hosted its second annual 5K Run/Walk Race in the Cuneo Courtyard. Following the 5K, everyone enjoyed some guacamole and smoothies!
Congratulations to Abishai Thomas, Chris Johnson, and Will Wiley for placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectfully. And congratulations to President Keith Michel for winning the faculty division!
Webb would like to thank Erin for facilitating the snacks, as well as Abi Thomas, Brandon Louis, Chase Geschwilm, Ian McReal, Josiah Ng, and Katri Heitman for all of their help setting up and timing the event. Special thanks to Muriel Weathers for taking the reins this year and coordinating a terrific event.
Lastly, Webb would like to thank all who came out to walk, run, or spectate!
See the below table for this year’s finishing times:
The New 2016 Honorary Members Announced
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.
Webbies Cook Brunch at The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island
On Sunday, May 29, 2016, a group of Webb students volunteered their time at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island in New Hyde Park.
The mission of The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is to provide comfort and shelter for families experiencing the pain of having a sick child in a local hospital. The Ronald McDonald House provides the parents and siblings of these sick children with a temporary haven in a secure and comfortable environment among other families sharing a similar burden.
During their visit at The Ronald McDonald House, Webbies cooked a big brunch for the families. The brunch included bagels, fruit salad, eggs, breakfast potatoes, and more.
Webbies who volunteered at the event said that cooking the brunch was a great way to bring smiles to families going through a difficult time.
Christopher J. Wiernicki Delivers Inspirational Zeien Lecture
On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, internationally recognized naval architect and business leader Christopher J. Wiernicki delivered an inspiring Zeien Lecture at Webb Institute.
Wiernicki’s lecture was not of the technical sense, as most Zeien Lectures are. His lecture was about the incredible story of his father, John Wiernicki, a Polish underground fighter who was captured by the Gestapo and was then shipped to infamous concentration camps, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Buchenwald. Wiernicki’s chilling story about his father’s trials and tribulations was about life, death, survival, perseverance, and making a difference in the world in the face of adversity.
Prior to his Zeien Lecture at Webb, Wiernicki says he had never spoke about his father’s story in public before. Throughout the lecture, Wiernicki told his father’s story of survival during World War II and his life after, showing personal family photographs, video clips, and sharing details from his father’s memoir, “War in the Shadow of Auschwitz”. Wiernicki also shared his father’s watercolor paintings for the first time, which illustrated the horrors of “life” at the concentration camps. Read more…
Friends Academy Seniors Volunteer at Webb
For the past two weeks, Will Schneider and Owen Collier, two seniors from the Friends Academy in Locust Valley, have been spending their Independent Service Program (ISP) time volunteering at Webb Institute.
While at Webb, Will and Owen have been working on a variety of projects. So far, they have created an electric boat, a sailboat and a crane. In addition to creating some great models, Will and Owen have been assisting in developing the curriculum for Webb’s new Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) Program.
After graduating from Friends Academy this June, both students will be heading off to college. Owen plans to study economics, while Will plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Class of 2016 Thesis Projects
(photo: The Class of 2016 working on a diesel engine during a class trip to Kings Point, NY)
Parametric Optimization of a Kiteboarding Hydrofoil Using CFD
Zachary Backas
The goal of this thesis is to improve the performance of a kiteboarding hydrofoil, or kitefoil, by building a parametric model based on the initial geometry and optimizing it using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This thesis will outline a procedure for conducting optimization of parametric models in CFD. Using base geometry donated by the kitefoil manufacturer Deltafoil, a parametric model will be developed in the optimization CAESES to be tested and improved using CFD. Ultimately, the final optimized geometry produced will be compared to the initial geometry in CFD to assess the effectiveness of the optimization procedure.
Webb Hosts SeaPerch Fun Day
On Saturday, May 7, 2016, Webb Institute welcomed sixth and seventh grade students from The Bridges Academy in West Islip, for a SeaPerch Fun Day event. Those students were enrolled in a full-year SeaPerch Program at their school, and the day’s event capped off their year-long project.
The SeaPerch program is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. The program aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics (STEM), while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum.
During the SeaPerch Fun Day, the students participated in a variety of fun in-water challenges and activities at Webb using the ROVs they built at their school during the year. The challenges, designed by Webb students, included locating a ship’s black box, retrieving objects, capping an oil well, and robot soccer. Webb students ran the events and served as technical advisors to the teams from The Bridge Academy. Once the challenges were completed, an awards ceremony took place to crown the winners.
“Our students really enjoyed working one-on-one with the kids from The Bridges Academy and sharing their knowledge of engineering with them,” said Matt Werner, Dean at Webb Institute.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this great educational event, and helped to make it a fun day.
For more information about SeaPerch, please visit their website.
To view SeaPerch Photo Gallery
