By Phoebe Garrett ’25
Over the past two years, I have served as Co-Chair of the Social Committee, a role that has provided me with the meaningful opportunity to bring Webb’s student body together outside of the classroom. As I enter my senior year and reflect on the traditions and new experiences we are able to share as a community, I recognize how these united moments encourage personal growth as well as stronger connections with one another, both of which define the unique experience integral to a Webb education.
Students at the Pie-Baking Competition
My Co-Chair this past year, Annabel Bornebusch, and I shared a common goal to celebrate student life and foster a sense of community on campus. We loved working together to execute our vision.
The commencement of the year began with a joyful Welcome Back Social geared to introduce the freshman to their new home and family- including faculty, staff, and the returning student body. Subsequent fall-semester highlights included the Halloween Party hosted by the freshman class, a faculty-judged pumpkin carving contest, and Oktoberfest.
The senior class hosted Casino Night which included lots of games, a silent auction full of fun prizes, as well as live music from the talented Max Mah ’24. The Christmas Party, our final fall-semester celebration, was a cozy gathering where students donned their pajamas, decorated gingerbread houses, and gifted each other with creative presents.
In the spring semester, we held a pie-baking competition in honor of Pi Day. The junior and sophomore classes hosted festive parties in the pub on St. Patty’s Day and Cinco de Mayo.
Michael Coppi ’25 enjoying the slip and slide.
Our biggest event of the year, Webbstock, always takes place in early June, as it represents one of the last hurrahs before final exams. This year, the front lawn served as the event venue where alumni, students, faculty, and guests enjoyed performances by 10 different bands, a playground of large inflatables slides, obstacle courses, and lawn games, as well as a snow cone machine and BBQ feast.
Finally, Gatsby was a beautiful celebration marking the conclusion of a successful school year. Seeing my peers and their guests enjoy the sun setting over the Long Island Sound in formal attire is one of my favorite memories of the year. We all enjoyed a catered Italian meal, danced to live music by a local 1920s swing band, and took lots of pictures to commemorate the night. The event would not have been as special without the generous sponsorship offered again by the Class of 2008, in loving memory of their inspiring classmate, Johanna Lee Exner. Johanna was a passionate leader during her time at Webb committed to social experiences, and her legacy continues to live on at Webb today.
Over the past year, Annabel and I have been able to be more successful in our execution of events because of the support and mentorship offered by Alyssa Caliguri, Gailmarie Sujecki, Laurie Martecchini, and Kayla Green. We would like to thank them for their dedication to enriching the social opportunities at Webb and for inspiring us with their gracious approach and benevolence. Serving on the Social Committee has underscored how the experiences students share both inside and outside of the classroom contribute to our education during the four years spent at Webb. The traditions and social opportunities encourage the student body to foster friendships, develop support networks, be present and active within our community, and find positive outlets to reduce the pressures inherent in our academic lives. Collectively, these add dimension to our education, encourage us to build life skills and lifelong relationships, and prepare us for the obstacles and adventures that await us.
As my term on the Social Committee has come to an end, I know the 2024-2025 year will be full of fun and significant moments under new leadership. I also am excited to have taken on my new position as Honor Council Chair. It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and uphold the honor code that embodies Webb and the character of its student body. As the first female student who has been elected to this role, I am excited for the opportunity and am committed to promoting a supportive and equitable environment in which Webbies continue to help each other succeed.
Webb Exchange | One Student’s Journey
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 Ranks Among Top 390 Colleges by The Princeton Review for 2025
GLEN COVE, NY – August 28, 2024 – Webb Institute (Webb) is proud to announce its recognition in “The Best 390 Colleges” for 2025 by The Princeton Review. This prestigious acknowledgment reaffirms Webb’s status as a premier college for students seeking an exceptional engineering education. Only about 15% of America’s 2,600 four-year colleges are profiled in the book.
In addition to a place among the top colleges, Webb excelled in several areas:
- #3 Most Accessible Professors: Webb’s commitment to fostering an intimate and interactive educational environment is reflected in this ranking. The accessibility of professors at Webb ensures that students receive personalized attention, enhancing their learning experience and academic success.
- #18 Students Study the Most: Webb has a rigorous academic environment where students are deeply engaged in their studies. This ranking shows how dedicated Webb students are to their education and future careers.
The Princeton Review’s “The Best 390 Colleges” guide profiles schools based on various criteria important to prospective students and their parents, including academics, campus life, and student body feedback. The Princeton Review also highlights how Webb provides real-world exposure to students with annual paid internships and 100% placement after graduation in industry or prestigious graduate programs.
“We salute Webb for its outstanding academics and many other impressive offerings. We recommend it as an ideal choice for students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief and lead author of The Best 390 Colleges. “In the profile on Webb, The Princeton Review editors praise the school for its rigorous academic program at an exceptional value.”
Webb continues to uphold its tradition of offering full-tuition scholarships to all admitted students and financial aid for other expenses to those with demonstrated need, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder bright young engineers.
The Princeton Review’s “Best Colleges” list for 2025 can be found here: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-colleges
About Webb Institute: Webb Institute is a unique, top-ranked undergraduate college specializing in naval architecture in marine engineering. It is the only full-tuition scholarship private undergraduate program of its kind in the country. Located in Glen Cove, New York, on the Long Island Sound, Webb prepares its graduates for careers in various sectors of the maritime industry and beyond through rigorous academics and practical engineering experience.
About The Princeton Review: The Princeton Review is a leading tutoring, test prep, and college admissions services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school–bound students as well as working professionals achieve their education and career goals through its many education services and products. These include online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors; online resources; more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House; and dozens of categories of school rankings. Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review is now in its 43rd year.
Commencement Awards for the Class of 2024
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…