AWARDS AND AWARDEES
TOTAL PERFORMANCE
CHAFFEE MEMORIAL PRIZE
Maximilian S. Mah
for general excellence
{Sponsored by Trustee Emeritus, Joseph J. Cuneo ’57}
LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS
PATRICK S. MATRASCIA GOOD SHIPMATE AWARD
Kohta J. Erdos
for working unselfishly and in harmony with classmates
{Sponsored by President Emeritus R. Keith Michel ’73 & Family}
THE CHARLES KURZ II (Hon.) COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Christopher S. Grieves
for exemplary commitment of service to others through volunteerism, community service, and civic outreach
{Sponsored by Charles Kurz II (Hon.)}
PAUL E. ATKINSON MEMORIAL PRIZE IN ETHICS
Alexander L. DeMeo
for ethical behavior
{Sponsored by Paul E. Atkinson Memorial Fund}
ACADEMICS
J. LEWIS LUCKENBACH MEMORIAL PRIZE
Matthew C. Coogan
for highest general average over four years
{Sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping}
CHARLES A. WARD, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD
Richard S. Thill II
for excellence in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
{Sponsored by Chairman of the Board, Bruce S. Rosenblatt and the Ward Family}
JENS T. HOLM ’41 MEMORIAL AWARD
Richard S. Thill II
for excellence in marine engineering
{Sponsored by George A. Gilmore ’57}
KEELER MEMORIAL PRIZE
Matthew C. Coogan
highest average in mathematics
{Sponsored by Past Trustee, Dr. Luther Tai}
RICHARD A. PARTANEN HUMANITIES AWARD
Richard S. Thill II
for excellence in humanities
{Sponsored by the Class of 1987}
CURRAN MEMORIAL PRIZE
Kenna R. Reed
for most outstanding and consistent improvement
{Sponsored by Past Trustee, John A. Malone ’71 and his wife Amy}
THESIS
STEVENSON TAYLOR MEMORIAL PRIZE
Kenna R. Reed & Kadi Zheng
for excellence in the senior thesis
{Sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping}
LEWIS NIXON MEMORIAL PRIZE
Alexander L. DeMeo & Addison R. Pope
for excellence in the senior thesis
{Sponsored by Trustee Emeritus, John W. Russell ’67}
Remembering Angela Chao, a Leader in the Maritime World and Honored Member of the Webb Family
It is with deep sorrow that we learn of the passing of Angela Chao, a distinguished leader in the shipping industry and a cherished member of the Webb community. Angela, the Chair and CEO of the Foremost Group, tragically lost her life in a car accident earlier this week at age 50.
At Webb, we had the privilege of celebrating Angela’s leadership and contributions to the maritime world. Webb awarded her a Doctor of Science (Hon.) degree and inducted her as an honorary alumna into the Webb Alumni Association in 2019. Her Commencement address served to inspire and educate our future leaders in the maritime industry and made a positive impact here at Webb and the world at large.
Joining Angela for that day’s award was her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, the founder of the Foremost Group, a company that serves as a model for all in the maritime industry with exceptional customer service, superior performance, and pioneering environmentally sustainable practices in the shipping industry.
Angela’s passing is a profound loss not only to her family and the Foremost Group but to the entire maritime industry and the communities she touched. Webb Institute’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bruce Rosenblatt, reflected,
Our thoughts are with Angela’s family during this difficult time.
A leading force in the maritime world, Angela’s legacy is one of grace, compassion, and visionary leadership. Her profound love for her family, community, and the maritime industry shone brightly during her memorable and inspiring speech at Webb Institute in 2019. It was a proud moment for us when our Chairman of the Board, Bruce Rosenblatt, honored Angela with the degree of Doctor of Science (Hon) and inducted her as an honorary alumna into the Webb Alumni Association, a testament to her remarkable contributions and the deep bond she shared with our community. Angela was more than a distinguished guest; she was a cherished part of the Webb family.
The Class of 2021 Commencement
The 125th Commencement exercises will be held on-campus on June 12th, 2021 at 2:30 PM.
Katherine A. Trauth, the Chief of Shipping at Shell, will deliver the 2021 Commencement Address. She will be awarded an Honorary Degree.
A reception in the front Courtyard will follow immediately after the ceremony.
Parents will receive a Zoom link to watch Commencement live.
Commencement 2020
Commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 have been rescheduled for Homecoming weekend in May 2021, to enable all members of the class to gather and celebrate together.
Bruce S. Rosenblatt 2017 Commencement Speaker
Bruce S. Rosenblatt served as President of his family-owned business, M. Rosenblatt & Son, Inc. (MR&S), a full service naval architecture & marine engineering company established in 1947 jointly by his grandfather, Mandell, and his father, Lester. He is now President of Bruce S. Rosenblatt & Associates, LLC (BSR), naval architects & marine engineers, the successor organization of MR&S.
Mr. Rosenblatt proudly employs a number of Webb Institute alumni, and has taken on several Webb student interns over the years, as well as very generously contributed to Webb’s Mission and Strategic Plan. From 2005 to the present, he has served as a member of the Webb Board of Trustees, the last year as Chairman providing guidance, time, and talent; for that we will be forever grateful.