I’m Lisandro Nicoletti, a Brazilian studying at the University of Southampton, UK. I chose to do a semester abroad so as to experience the excitement of my first day at university for a second time, and I chose to do this at Webb Intitule in order to become a part of its well-known alumni community.
As an exchange student, my journey has been full of new experiences. If I had to pick a favourite day at Webb, it would probably be when we hosted the Engineers Cup. We spent the whole day on the water sailing with other marine-engineering-related colleges and universities. And following the sailing, I organized a traditional Brazilian barbecue at the yacht club for everyone.
Lisandro with members of the Class of 2024 at a fellow classmate’s hockey game.
Beyond campus, Webb Institute sponsored me to attend many events, including the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) held in Houston, and Broadway shows organized by Webb’s Culture Club.
Looking back, I got to experience many things for the first time, from carving through the slopes of Vermont during the annual ski trip, to seeing an eclipse from a classmate’s hometown, and even scuba diving in the Dominican Republic during spring break. More recently, we as a class had the opportunity to go watch a classmate’s hockey game.
As the semester came to an end, I found myself looking back at all the lifelong memories and friendships, and all the invaluable professional experience I gained over my time at Webb. I can proudly say that in just one semester I gained the title of a “Webbie” – thank you Class of 2024.
Webb Institute Celebrates Historic First National Championship | Daniel Escudero ’25 Clinches College Singlehanded Sailing Title
Webb Institute is proud to announce a historic first in our school’s history. Daniel Escudero ’25 has secured the national title at the 2024 ICSA Open Singlehanded National Championships, earning Webb its first-ever national championship. Competing against elite sailors from universities with legacy sailing programs, including Harvard, Yale, and Brown, Daniel emerged as the men’s champion, securing the Glen S. Foster Trophy on November 10 in St. Petersburg, FL.
Daniel Escudero ’25 wins the Glen S. Foster Trophy – pictured with fellow sailors and competitors, Guthrie Braun ’26 (Brown) and Mathias Reimer ’27 (Yale).
The two-day competition hosted the top 18 sailors out of the 103 in the nation that raced in qualifying stages. Beginning with light, shifty winds on day one on Tampa Bay, the conditions tested each competitor’s adaptability and skill, as they navigated through eight races. Despite the challenging environment, Daniel ended the first day in second place, closely trailing Brown University’s Martins Atilla by only seven points.
On day two, as the breeze and sea state picked up, Daniel surged to the top of the leaderboard, using a strong third-place finish early in the day to gain momentum. With three races left in the series, he extended his lead and ultimately clinched the championship title.
Webb Institute President Mark Martecchini expressed great pride in Daniel’s accomplishment, noting,
Daniel, who balances a rigorous course load in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, has demonstrated remarkable tenacity both in the classroom and on the water.
Reflecting on his achievement, Daniel shared,
The 2024 College Sailing Open and Women’s Singlehanded National Championships saw Sophia Montgomery ’25 of Harvard University win the Women’s title, with competitors in both fleets facing a mix of variable and demanding conditions. Daniel’s triumph also follows his earlier success this year when he captured the ILCA 7 North American Championship, highlighting his standing as one of the most skilled sailors in the collegiate circuit.
Glen S. Foster Trophy – Men’s Championship Final Standings:
- Daniel Escudero ’25, Webb Institute
- Guthrie Braun ’26, Brown University
- Mathias Reimer ’27, Yale University
Photo Credit: Lexi Pline / College Sailing
Class of 2026 Recreates Famous Artwork
Each year, Professor Richard Harris’s Western Culture II class participates in an art project that challenges students to recreate an illustration or painting.
This year, the Class of 2026 recreated artwork from the post-Impressionist period or later from artists such as Jeff Foster, Tim Layzell, and Charles Davis. The class is designed to help students develop their critical eye and appreciation for art and the sense of composition and color.
Students carefully study the original work, break them down and recreate them using their own techniques and understanding. They paid attention to details that might otherwise be overlooked – translating into their own creative process.
Upon completion, the students’ work was exhibited in the Visconti Reception Room during graduation week, June 10-17. The exhibit was a testament to their creativity and hard work.
(In no particular order)
The Ties that Bind: Si Cong Chen ’23 on Bridging Worlds
At Webb, we are reminded of the remarkable stories that individuals have carved out. One great journey is of our Webb alum, Si Cong Chen, and how his pursuit of education forged his destiny to engineering and at Webb.
As a first-generation Asian American, Si Cong unlocked a world of opportunities through his thirst for knowledge. He got into one of the most difficult high schools in New York State- Brooklyn Tech, and later to our competitive Webb Institute for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, where he received a full tuition scholarship allowing him to focus on #STEM and explore his passion in sustainable engineering.
Grateful for the opportunities that he was given, Si Cong wants to ensure that others have the same access to opportunities as he does. Read more about his story here:
What’s your name, and where are you from?
My name is Si Cong Chen, and I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. I am a first-generation Asian American.
How did you get to Webb?
Before Webb, I attended Brooklyn Tech, the largest high school in NY. I always had an interest in engineering, so I decided to study Mechatronics and Robotics there. Not long after, I realized I wanted a change of pace. I still enjoyed the technical aspects of engineering, but I also desired a career with more hands-on work. After my Prospective Freshmen (PF) visit to Webb, I learned about the different winter work periods students were exposed to at an early part of their careers. From there, I was convinced this was the place for my undergraduate studies.
What attracted you to Webb?
The sense of community at Webb really drew me in. I went tree climbing for the first time when I was visiting Webb. I became good friends with my host, Jonas who was a year above me at Webb. The bonding of classmates, the beach and the serenity of Webb made me feel at home.
What are some experiences that you remember at Webb?
For homecoming one year, the student body hosted a boat race. My classmates salvaged some parts from the Freshmen Boat Building Competition earlier that month and successfully assembled the remnants into a large wooden boat suitable for nine people. Though we did not win the race against the other classes, we managed to stay afloat for the entirety of the race—I think.
Why were you interested in the company you chose at Winter Work?
I was interested in surveying since I started at Webb but had little luck finding one during the peak of Covid. After contacting a few alumni, I was finally able to get a surveying internship with Sean Murphy, an alum from 2013. I worked at ABL Group / Offshore Wind Consultants located in New York City’s Financial District. The office was comprised of three different teams: maritime, engineering design, and offshore wind. With the maritime team, I had the privilege of crawling tanks, climbing my first pigeonhole ladder, and inspecting machinery equipment with a senior surveyor.
How do you feel your Asian heritage has influenced your decision to pursue a career in engineering?
Going to Brooklyn Tech, I noticed my classmates and friends were all studying STEM, and I decided to pursue it. Naturally, I found myself inclined to explore a career in STEM. While I cannot say my parents pushed me to get into engineering, they always encouraged me and my brothers to get a good education. The environment at Tech along with my parents’ support, sparked my passion for engineering.
What are some unique experiences or challenges you faced as an Asian American in life / school?
My cultural differences at Webb were most noticeable during mealtimes. One time I brought an aloe vera beverage which is a staple in the Asian community. My peers did not understand why I was drinking that; after all, aloe vera is used as an ointment for sunburns. Some tried it and liked it…others would not take their chances. It was a funny interaction for sure. I think the food choices are difficult to get accustomed to. I grew up on Asian food, and I love it.
What role do you think Asian American engineering students play in shaping Webb’s culture and contribute to promoting diversity here?
While at Webb, I was a member of the Minority Establishment of Webb (MEOW). We would occasionally cook different foods together including bubble tea, rice balls, and sushi. During one of the sushi events, I got experimental and created Si Cong special. I coated the sushi roll rice with crushed BBQ chips for an extra crunch. Although it was *allegedly* the crowd’s least favorite, I still look back on that event with fondness. I still laugh over countless events such as this one with my fellow Webbies.
How do you hope to give back using your engineering program to your communities?
My class donated a Senior Class gift of a scholarship for need-based incoming students, and I hope to continue to encourage people of different income levels to come to Webb without worrying about room and board costs.
I want to help others who are also like me and to be able to support need-based scholarships for incoming students, ensuring that Webb remains accessible to people from all walks of life. Webb prepared me for the corporate world, and I am very thankful for the opportunities it has given me—from the winter work internships to networking opportunities with the alumni association. I hope to one day become an alum that also generously gives others a helping hand.
New Student Journey: First Year at Webb
by Hank Wolfe ’26
Over the last year, I have received the honor of becoming a Webbie and learning what the title holds. It’s more than a nickname or label, being a Webbie is a way of life – one that includes the excessive wearing of flip-flops and late night burrito orders. Jokes aside, becoming a Webbie has shined a light for me on the power of community. I came into Webb excited and ready to work but with some hesitation-hesitation about figuring out how I would fit into the Webb family I had heard so much about. The idea of living with a hundred peers seemed daunting. My nerves would settle as I joined my new home.
What a great first year it was! My classmates and I meshed from the start. Laughter became a norm in the design studio. Even on the nights when the homework seemed endless, the optimism and humor of my friends got me through. Learning to have fun and acknowledging the work will inevitably get done is the key to success at Webb. Having fun consists of different things for different people. Sailing is a huge part of it for me. Thanks to the opportunities the Webb sailing team and NEKA have provided, I traveled the east coast to sail, going as far as Key West with Zach Doerr ‘24 for a weekend during our Winter Work term.
The Webb family extends far beyond the classroom. I had the privilege of working at Michael Rybovich and Sons Custom Boatworks under Dusty Rybovich ‘10, the talented foreman, “Flipper,” and the rest of the crew. They eagerly took me under their wing, teaching me all there is to know about constructing sportfishing yachts. The hands-on experience I gained at the shipyard will last me a lifetime. While working in Florida, numerous other Webbies invited me to join them for dinner, and even stay with them for a weekend. The endless generosity from the Webb network was a constant reminder of how lucky I am to be a part of this community.
Going into sophomore year I am looking forward to meeting the next round of freshmen. I hope to lead by example, showing them the responsibilities of being a Webbie. I am excited to dive further into the NAME world, make more memories, and share laughs – all from the comfort of a pair of flip-flops.
SOCO: A Year in Review
By Phoebe Garrett ’25 Annabel Bornebusch ’26
(Pictured Left to Right) Students Eliott Ocheltree ‘24, Ryan Krimper ‘26, Steven Katz ‘26, Max Mah ‘24, and Millay Metz ‘26 Performing Jazz Music at a Ruby Lounge Social
This year, students returned to campus in August of 2023 excited to begin a new school year! The first event of the year was a welcome back Community Social to celebrate faculty and students after the first week of classes was completed! Throughout the fall semester, the Social Committee continued to host Community Socials to bring together Webb students, faculty, and staff each month. The Yacht Club socials were especially fun for students and faculty to enjoy the warm weather, the beautiful yacht club and beach, and swimming and fishing in the Long Island Sound.
In October, the freshman class hosted their first Webb event: the annual Halloween party! The party took place in the Pub which was decorated with spooky decorations and had fun halloween-themed food, music, and activities! The costume contest was a highlight of the night where the students with the most creative costumes were recognized!
During the week of Halloween, the Social Committee also hosted a pumpkin carving contest where each class was able to carve a pumpkin for all Webb students to vote on a winner. The Junior Class pumpkin “Wear your PPE… or else” won and they had a pizza party celebration.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it was time for SoCo’s annual Casino Night. The senior class, led by class representatives, Victoria Kim and Erin Postma, planned a magical casino night full of poker, blackjack, roulette, horse racing, arm wrestling, and more! All Webb students were dressed up and had a wonderful night. One of the highlights was the silent auction where students used the Webb casino money they earned throughout the night to bet on the array of prizes displayed at the event.
Following Casino Night’s great success, SoCo had a holiday decorating social where all of Webb’s faculty and students came together to decorate the Visconti reception room with a beautiful winter village and a christmas tree! There was holiday music and many snacks as well.
The SoCo Christmas Party was the last big event of the year. Ugly Christmas sweaters were encouraged for the event and the Webb jazz band played holiday music for the students to dance and sing along. Each class had fun gifting each other with gifts and celebrating the end of the fall semester.
In the spring of 2023, the first event was the annual St. Patrick’s Day party hosted by the Junior class. Festivities included a potato bobbing and potato throwing.
For Pi Day, students participated in a school-wide pie baking competition for a SoCo sponsored froyo trip by baking a pie that was judged on its taste, difficulty, originality, and presentation. The winning submission this year was the beef and stout pie by Will Calli, Miguel Sanchez, and Emma Passariello.
At the beginning of May, students attended the annual Cinco De Mayo party hosted by the Sophomore class. Students packed into the Brocket Arms Pub for Cactus-Cafe catered appetizers, drinks, and dancing. Some sophomore students, including Tyler Zylinski, Luke Foye, and John Feleciano, took on the role of DJ for the fun evening. Events in the month of May also included numerous yacht club socials and a Founder’s Day Social.
To continue a fun spring semester, on June 3, we had Webb’s Annual Webbstock! This year the festivities were fully revived after the pandemic and over 100 guests were in attendance. Everyone got to enjoy eating hot dogs and hamburgers while listening to live music performed by faculty and students as well as a band called “Yesterday’s News” which included Webb alumni Joe Cole (class of 1992). Students were also able to enjoy singing some karaoke, and rotating through the various lawn games, especially a new Webbstock Cornhole Tournament. Many students enjoyed racing through the inflatables, which included a 65-foot obstacle course and a double water slide. The class of 2008 sponsored the event in loving memory of their classmate, Johanna Lee Exner. During her time at Webb, Johanna was very involved in the Webb Social Committee and worked extremely hard to plan events such as Webbstock. It was extremely fitting for Webb’s largest event of the year to be held in her memory. A big thanks to the class of 2008, and we think that Johanna would have been very proud!
Group Photo of Webb Students, Faculty, and Guests at Webbstock 2023
On June 19, students dressed up in elegant evening attire to attend a fun-filled Great Gatsby-themed night. After a fancy dinner, students opened their bottles of champagne to a beautiful sunset. Students also played croquet and listened to music performed by a swing band, with a special feature by Max Mah ‘24.
Kasey Kennedy ‘23, Phoebe Garrett ‘25, & Annabel Bornebush ‘26
Senior Thesis: Development of a Method for Comparison of Shipboard Power Transmission Models
By Spencer Margosian ’23 and Tori Kim ’23
It is the beauty of research that in pursuit of solving even a seemingly simple problem, one will inevitably discover far more new problems to solve than they will answers to publish. Looking back on the past year, the best example of this was when our electrical engineering thesis was almost completely derailed for well over a month, by a problem fundamental to naval architecture. In this article, we would like to discuss how we came across this problem, how we solved it, and how this detour in our work taught us a fundamental principle of research. The minimum viable background for discussion of our thesis takes about four sentences. For large vessels, medium-voltage alternating current is usually used to transmit electrical power.
An emerging technology, medium-voltage direct current power transmission, is poised to be ready for commercial application approximately within the next decade. Because MVDC is a new technology, it is not well known to marine engineers and will likely be underutilized if it remains unknown.
Spencer Margosian ’23 accepting his award during SNAME’s Student Paper night.
Our thesis sets out to identify in simple terms whether MVAC or MVDC is the better system model for a given application so that a marine engineer does not need to do so from first principles. The first time we attempted to compare the two
system models directly, we created two calculation methods which modeled steady-state operation of a given vessel. When we tested the two methods with a computer script, the answers they returned looked like they made sense when considered one-at-a-time. Upon examining the entire set of cases, however, we realized that not a single case actually implied that DC was preferable to AC—not even those which we were positive would be.
The discovery of this fault effectively stopped us in our tracks, not knowing what we had done wrong or how we might fix our program to account for such error. To solve this problem, we would have to embrace a core principle of research: that setting out to solve a problem in one field will often result in encountering new problems in unrelated ones. Following the failure of the original analysis, we would come to realize that using a steady-state analysis failed to account for the biggest advantage of MVDC systems, which is their high efficiency in loads which vary over time. This meant that to properly compare the two system models, it would be necessary to model them as dynamic systems and not constant signals.
“We are immensely grateful to Webb for preparing us not only with the education in marine engineering necessary to understand marine electrical engineering, but also for providing us the naval architecture background that we needed to solve our resistance problem. Despite neither of us identifying as naval architects at heart, the Webb education prepared us to tackle every problem our research threw at us.”
We had found a new problem to solve—how does a ship’s electrical load change throughout a voyage?—and despite our original research being one of theoretical electrical engineering, the answer to our new question relied almost exclusively on our understanding of naval architecture.
The biggest load experienced by a ship at sea is naturally the energy required to propel the vessel through the water. As a ship sails through waves, the resistance imparted on the vessel varies constantly, changing the propulsion power. This phenomenon, called added wave resistance, cannot be easily predicted using statistics—in fact, it is not analytically possible to do so. However, by algebraically manipulating a well-documented standardized wave spectrum, we were able to closely approximate what the added wave resistance spectrum would look like and solve our original problem of characterizing how resistance varies over a voyage.
Watch Spencer and Tori’s Thesis Presentation below:
Click here to view the Class of 2023 Thesis Page
PAWS for a Study Break!
by Alyssa Caliguri, Associate Director of Admissions and Student Affairs
There are typically high levels of stress on college campuses during the weeks leading up to Final Exams. To help address this, a practice common across colleges in the U.S. involves bringing trained therapy dogs to their campuses to interact with their students and provide emotional support. Webb already has a long tradition of dogs visiting (or even residing on) campus. Over the past few years, Sully, Barney, Duke, Pebbles, Callie, Dan, Beau, Diego, Holly, and 
other employee dogs have spent some time on campus with Webbies. On Tuesday, June 15th, two therapy dogs from Therapy Dogs of Long Island joined in on the fun and visited the Webb Institute campus. T to help relieve some stress before final exams. Toby, the golden retriever, and Lucy, a Labrador retriever, greeted students in the Visconti Reception Room and provided some well-deserved relief from the workload and studying. According to Therapy Dogs of Long Island, “Dogs can help improve mental and physical health, pain management, and behavior/interpersonal interaction.
Dogs can also reduce heart rate, blood pressure, fear and anxiety, and aggression.” Toby and Lucy brought unconditional love and many smiles to the students’ faces during this time.
There is something special and calming about a dog’s companionship, and its ability to understand feelings and situations around it, without ever having a conversation.
Marguerite Caliguri, Toby’s owner states, ” Bringing Toby to therapy visits has been very rewarding for both of us as a therapy dog team. Toby can really pick up on people’s feelings; at the same time, I’ve seen people’s attitude change completely for the better once they see Toby coming. It is also equally as rewarding for Toby to socialize, lend a paw, and brighten someone’s day. He thrives on being with people and seeing that he loves it so much, I knew I had to share it with as many people as I can.” Student wellness is key to academic success. The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs hopes to continue providing wellness initiatives throughout the upcoming year to help the students thrive in and out of the classroom environment.
Sailing to the Olympics with Daniel Escudero ’25
How did you become interested in sailing, and what led you to compete at such a high level?
I got introduced to sailing through a learn to sail summer camp program at Bay of Quinte Yacht Club in Canada where I grew up. During the summer of 2016, they offered a racing camp during which I started sailing Lasers (now ILCAs). I had so much fun at the regatta that culminated the camp, I really wanted to continue racing. My parents started signing me up for some local regattas, which is when a coach suggested I join the Lauderdale Yacht Club Racing Team. Anywhere from 20 to 30 boats would show up to practice every weekend. I went to high school near Atlanta, so I had to drive or fly down to Lauderdale to get to weekend practices. At first, I would go to practice once every two or three weeks, but by my junior year, I was in Lauderdale every weekend. At one point, I even took my SAT exam in Lauderdale to not miss practice. I was sailing during all my breaks and holidays. During my last two years of high school, I was ranked 1st Laser Radial (ILCA6, youth class) in North America and made it onto the US Sailing Olympic Development Team. After graduating, I transitioned into the ILCA7, the Olympic class. It was a tough transition as it was like learning to sail a new boat. While at Webb, I managed to work my way into the top 3 ILCA7 in the US putting me into a position to qualify for the 2024 Olympic games.
Can you tell us about your journey from being at Webb to your ongoing campaign to qualify for Olympic sailing?
Given the academic workload at Webb, my goal during the Webb semester was focus on my fitness while trying to maintain my sailing skills the best I could. A typical week consisted of at least 2 sailing sessions, weightlifting 3-4 days, and about 80 miles cycling with a local team. I also joined some friends on a few weekends during the semester for some ILCA racing at American Yacht Club. Fortunately, President Martecchini, Dean Werner, and the faculty are extremely supportive of my sailing, and even allowed to take time off to train and compete.
What are some of the challenges that you face in training for the Olympics?
Campaigning for the Olympics is a logistical, planning, and funding nightmare. I don’t stay in the same country for more than two weeks at a time before I travel to the next. I have to make sure my equipment stays in order and everything I need gets to the next place. I’d like to take this moment to thank my parents and my coach. Without them it would be impossible.
Of course, performing and improving is another challenge. The skill gap between the U21 and Senior fleet is massive. Competing against the best in the world is a very humbling experience. Dealing with the stress and pressure of personal expectations of improvement, especially when extremely tired from training and competing can be very challenging. Mentally draining – resilience.
How does it feel to represent both Webb and the USA- on a global platform?
I am very proud to represent Webb and the USA on a global platform. It is great to know that I have my college supporting and cheering for me, and it adds motivation to do my best while training and competing!
What advice would you give to other student-athletes?
The main advice I would give is that everything comes down to time management and prioritizing. Especially with Webb’s demanding academic workload, fitting in the necessary training while leaving some free time available is very tricky but totally achievable.
How has Webb impacted you on your journey to the Olympics?
I’d say Webb has helped me greatly improve my stress and time management skills. Since Webb’s academic load can be quite stressful at times, I’ve found that it has improved my resilience and work efficiency, especially when having to complete assignments and exams while competing at regattas at the same time.
I also find it funny when the things we learn at Webb for designing and building container ships apply to my sailing. Webb has helped me get a better understanding of my boat and look at my sailing from a more technical and analytical perspective, which gives me an edge over my competitors. I am very grateful for the invaluable skills I have learned at Webb.
What are your plans for when you graduate from Webb?
I would like to use my Webb degree to get involved in professional sailing like the America’s Cup or SailGP and design faster, more advanced boats. I also have my sights set on campaigning for LA 2028.
A Harmonious Intersection of Art and Engineering: World-Renowned Pianist, Alexei Tartakovsky Performs at Webb
When world-renowned Russian-American pianist, Alexei Tartakovsky played the music of Mozart, Chopin, and Schubert on the grand piano at Webb Institute on September 7, Webb became more than a school for future shipbuilders. It also became a hub for creators, architects, and engineers – entranced in the journey of musical art and creativity.
Students dressed in formal attire for a special night of timeless melodies.
“A fantastic musician and pianist,” enthused fellow classical pianist, Martha Argerich, which is a sentiment echoed by the New York Concert Review, calling him “one of the finest young pianists in recent years.”
From winning three top prizes in a single year to a unanimous first prize win at the Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition, Tartakovsky had always stolen the spotlight on international stages. To have him at Webb for our unique community was special.
What made this evening particularly meaningful was the collaborative spirit that brought Tartakovsky to our campus. “Our students not only excel in STEM; they have an appreciation for all facets of human achievement, including the arts and music,” commented Professor Goloubeva, one of the key orchestrators of the event, along with Professor Harris.
Professor Harris, coordinator of our Humanities program at Webb added, “Alexei Tartakovsky’s performance was an enhancement of our Humanities program, and a testament to the multidimensional and creative talent we cultivate here. You can see that our students felt the music deeply.”
Webbies engage in conversation during the intermission of musical inspiration.
Jack Jackson, a member of the Leadership Committee responsible for the recital, said, “This event, the first of its kind for some of us, was a valuable chance for Webbies to experience the artistry of piano performance and expand our outlook on beauty beyond the engineering curriculum, and into the field of fine art.”
As we send our heartfelt gratitude to Alexei Tartakovsky, who continues his European tour this week in Bonn, we also thank Professor Harris and Gloubeva as well as our pro-active Leadership Committee which includes Thomas Motyka, Ben Calkins, Jack Jackson, Steven Katz and Burke Kanemasu.
Their collective effort enriched what it means to be a Webbie – to be able to take in the magic of engineering and the arts, including the music of Chopin in a Long Island mansion.
As Alexei Tartakovsky graced Webb Institute’s mansion with notes of classical music, this special night captured the essence of what makes Webb a beautiful place for both mind and soul.