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}
Webb Institute Celebrates 128th Commencement with Inspiring Keynote by Tech Entrepreneur, Diane B. Greene
GLEN COVE, NY – June 17, 2024 – Webb Institute, a leading institution for naval architecture and marine engineering, celebrated its 128th commencement ceremony this weekend, marking a significant milestone for its graduates and the maritime community. The event featured a keynote address by Diane B. Greene, renowned technology entrepreneur, co-founder, and former CEO of VMware, who shared her inspiring journey and insights on leadership, innovation, and the importance of lifelong learning.
Diane B. Greene being awarded her Honorary Doctorate Degree from Webb President, Mark Martecchini and Board Chair, Bruce Rosenblatt
In her address, Ms. Greene emphasized the power of following one’s passion and embracing curiosity. Reflecting on her own path, she recounted a pivotal moment when a professor encouraged her to pursue naval architecture at MIT, a decision that ultimately shaped her career. “That little bit of encouragement to stretch myself beyond where I imagined my capabilities was enormous in altering the course of my life,” she shared. “I still aspire to help others as that professor helped me.”
Ms. Greene’s journey through MIT was marked by a blend of rigorous academic pursuit and personal passions. “At MIT, I learned rigor and developed a new area of interest—computer science,” she said. “Meanwhile, I was having fun on the water while, unbeknownst to me, continuing to develop my leadership skills through running regattas.” She emphasized the importance of curiosity, noting, “Humans are born with innate curiosity. Over my entire career, it has remained one of the most important qualities I look for when hiring someone.”
Drawing parallels between her experience and the education at Webb Institute, Ms. Greene praised the graduates for their depth of knowledge. “I have to say the more I learn about Webb Institute, the more I see that much of the value of your education is that you’ve all gone deep,” she remarked. Sharing advice she often gives to entrepreneurs, she said, “When I advise entrepreneurs, I always remind them that they are, or need to be, the world expert in what they are building.”
President of Webb Institute, Mark Martecchini speaks at its 128th commencement
Ms. Greene also touched upon the exciting future of naval architecture, highlighting opportunities in simulation, automation, new materials, and manufacturing processes, all leading to greater sustainability. “Naval architecture today seems to have amazing opportunities…All these things will help move the world forward,” she concluded.
Webb Institute’s President, Mark Martecchini expressed his pride in the graduating class and gratitude to Diane Greene for her inspiring words. “Our graduates are set to make significant contributions to the maritime field and beyond. Diane Greene’s journey and insights have given them the inspiration and guidance to excel in their careers.”
About Webb Institute:
Webb Institute is a top-ranked institution dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in naval architecture, marine engineering, and fields beyond, with every student receiving a full-tuition scholarship. With a rigorous curriculum, hands-on internship experiences, and a strong emphasis on innovation, Webb Institute graduates are highly sought after by leading companies in the maritime industry.
Winter Work: Paul Ferragu ’26 – A Freshman’s Voyage to a Shipbuilder’s Dream
Webbies are taking on their Winter Work internships fearlessly, and they have started a blog to share their experiences and insights with us.
The blog will cover a range of topics from the skills they have learned to the personal growth they have experienced throughout their time in the program.
Our first blog post is written by Paul Ferragu, a Freshman at Webb who is currently at the prestigious Chantiers de l’Atlantique for his Winter Work internship. Paul shows us that no matter where you are in life, with the right mindset, you can do anything and go anywhere.
Follow along with us on the journey!
Where are you working for the Winter Work term?
I’m spending my freshman Winter Work Term at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Why are you interested in this company?
I was originally interested in this company because they design and build the world’s largest cruise ships for leading cruise lines and are at the front of innovation toward sustainable shipping. Although I don’t have a passion for cruise ships, their complexity is certainly fascinating. Everything I learn here will be applicable in almost every other sector of the industry. My personal favorite project they are working on is the Solid Sail.
How is the work environment?
I am part of an outfitting supervising team. I joined a team of 7 who specializes in supervising the outfitting of anything welded or attached to the metallic hull of the ship. This includes life-saving apparatuses, strategic fire-fighting equipment, mooring decks, hydraulic doors, machinery, and balconies. During my winter work term, I will be supervising the installation of some life-saving apparatuses.
What skills are you learning at the company?
I am learning technical French terminology and the logistics behind such a large and complex shipyard – there can be up to 8,000-10,000 personnel in the yard at a time and up to 4 ships under construction. There is activity 24/7 in the yard, and thousand-ton blocks are being lifted on an almost daily basis. I am also taking this opportunity to ask questions about the design process of ships. It takes 500 engineers and technicians to realize all the different ship’s plans fully. I am able to help my team with translating English to French and teaching them English terminology to ease their communication with contractors.
Why are you the best candidate for this internship?
I showed interest in learning from the world’s leading passenger ship shipyard and my French language skills enabled me to do my job in the language spoken daily within my team and with contractors. Some overseas shipyards can accommodate English speakers but that is not standard in French yards.
Where do you see yourself after this internship (or after graduation)?
As I am only a freshman, I will return to Webb after the winter work term to explore more sectors before deciding on one to pursue during my early professional career. I do hope to come back to this shipyard in my junior year to work in the design offices of their new sail and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) -propelled ships.
Professor Daidola Gives Presentation at Joint Society Meeting Hosted by SNAME
This past June, Webb’s Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering, Dr. John C. Daidola, P.E., gave a presentation to local marine professional societies in New York City.
Professor Daidola’s presentation, entitled “A Cornucopia of Structural Challenges – Solved, Ongoing, Opportunities for the Future?” was eligible for 1 (PDH) PE continuing education credit, and was presented to members of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), the Eastern Branch of the Institute of Marine Engineers (IMarEST), the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), and the Society of Marine Port Engineers (SMPE).
The presentation addressed a number of subject areas that have been identified as having merit for research and application to address important structural issues, sometimes historically recurring in different scenarios. Ten areas of interest were identified and discussed: IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR), Tanker Structure Behavior during Collisions and Groundings, Hull Stiffness Variation and Vibratory Response, Cold Zone Materials, Rouge Waves, Large Multi-Hull Vessels, Structural Considerations in the Producibility of Vessels, Naval Vessel Classification Rules, Offshore Industry Classification Rules and Reliability-Based Structural Design.
For more information on the presentation: SNAME June Joint Meeting
Webb Institute Announces Zeien Student Scholar
Webb Institute is proud to announce Jonathan Roussin, a member of the class of 2016, as the second Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Zeien ‘52 scholar. Dr. and Mrs. Alfred M. Zeien have generously established the “Dr. and Mrs. Alfred M. Zeien ‘52 Student Scholar” fund that enables Webb to provide a full-tuition scholarship and a $2,500 stipend to cover a portion of the student’s room and board expenses. Read more…