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 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,
This is a monumental moment for Webb. Daniel’s win represents not only his exceptional dedication and resilience but also Webb’s commitment to supporting our students in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievement; it’s an inspiration for our entire community.
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,
Winning this championship is a dream come true. A win like this doesn’t come often for Webb, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my school. Competing successfully against such talented sailors required a lot of dedication and support from those close to me, and I’m very proud to bring this victory home to Webb.
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
Moving Forward
By Alyssa Caliguri | Director of Admissions and Student Affairs
As I step into this new role as the Director of Admissions and Student Affairs I am excited to see what is in store for Webb Institute. While I’m not new to Webb being the former Associate Director of Admissions and Student Affairs, this role is a new opportunity for me to bring my strengths into this role. This new position for me is not just a career advancement but an opportunity to help shape the future of Webb Institute for years to come. The former Director of Admissions and Student Affairs, Lauren Carballo set up Webb to be extremely successful during her tenure. My only hope is to continue to build upon the great foundation she laid out for the past 8 years during her time at Webb.
Getting to welcome a new class of 28 students to campus after we had the privilege to watch the seniors walk across the stage months prior is always an exciting time. Having the opportunity to see the perspective students turn into admitted students is always an incredible experience. From those shy interviews to getting them knowledgeable on everything Webb during Orientation Week, they truly start to become a family in such a short amount of time within their class. They really are an impressive group and very accomplished prior to Webb. With Webb’s top-notch education there is no doubt in my mind they will become the very best next generation of great leaders in the Maritime Industry. I cannot wait to see all that the Class of 2028 accomplishes during their collegiate career inside and out of the classroom.
Alyssa presenting during Webb’s Incoming Student Orientation.
As we look towards the Fall we will look to hire an Assistant Director of Admissions to grow our admissions department and continue to spread the word out about Webb being one of our top goals. Another goal of mine is to also grow our Student Affairs side of the department. Admissions and Student Affairs go hand in hand in my opinion. You often will see other institutions have an Admissions Department which gets students in and hands them off to the Student Affairs Departments but the unique thing about Webb is that you get to see them through during their whole collegiate career from before they are even admitted. My passion is about enhancing the student experience from the very first time they step onto Webb’s campus to take a tour to four years later when they walk across that stage as a Webb graduate. Webb has such a strong curriculum and outstanding faculty to teach them, I hope on my departments end we can help guide them holistically to be the best leader outside of the classroom as well. I hope to continue the strong collaboration among all faculty and staff to continue to improve Webb’s student experience.
As Higher Education continues to evolve day by day my hope is that by focusing on relationship-building, collaboration, staying knowledgeable with the ever so changing industry, strategic planning, and innovation, our department can achieve new heights of success when it comes to student experiences at Webb Institute.
A Century of Wisdom: 100-Year-Old Webbie, Niel Spillane on a Life Well Lived
By Kaye Lin
Director of Communications and Marketing
A Surprising Start
It was a warm Wednesday afternoon when I found myself on the doorstep of a beautiful house in Mystic, Connecticut. The house belonged to Niel Spillane, a 100-year-old alumnus of Webb Institute, and I was there to interview him about his long and fascinating life. I was all set to meet him the day before, on Tuesday, but an unfortunate encounter with store-bought sushi left me very sick and forced me to cancel.
With four generations of the Spillane gentlemen. Niel Spillane (far left) with his grandson, J.B.
Spillane, great grandson, Reid, his son Jamie, and grandson Colin (far right) celebrating their
family legacy.
Embarrassed that I—a woman in my 30s—was sick while this 100-year-old man was full of life, I made a note to ask him about his secret to health.
Niel’s house was a large, three-story home with a neatly kept yard and a wide-open garage door. I parked my car and walked up to the front door, expecting to see Niel waiting for me. But to my surprise, the house was empty, and the garage fully open—with no car. I called his phone, but got no answer. Had something happened to him? A few hours later, as I was contemplating the next steps at the local ice cream shop, my phone rang—it was Niel.
He explained that he had been busy at his veteran’s meetup, then at his doctor’s appointment, and running errands. You know, a typical day in the life of a 100-year old man. When I met him in person, I was struck by the warmth and energy that radiated from him.
Despite his age, he had the vitality and enthusiasm of a much younger man. As we sat down to begin the interview, I felt like I was talking to a friend.
From Webb to War and Back
Niel was around 18 years old when he first went to Webb Institute. Back then, Webb was located in the Bronx. He then served in Europe for approximately three and a half years during World War II, and witnessed the horrors of war firsthand.
The constant threat of death was ever-present, especially during intense periods like the four months of relentless shelling in France, followed by two months in Germany. “It gets tiresome after a while ducking and finding a way to stay alive… I just wanted to go to college where nobody’s shooting at us,” recalled Niel.
After serving in World War II, now 22 years old, he returned to Webb and transitioned seamlessly back into college life, now at Webb’s new campus in Long Island, NY. “Webb has impacted my life in so many ways. It got me the job at Electric Boat. I led the repair of 16 ships on time and under budget. One of them was so under budget that my ship manager wrote a letter to my admiral for exceptional work and cost savings.”
Niel’s naval career was remarkable, earning him three Navy commendations within 18 months. He had repaired 16 ships, each on time and under budget. His achievements led to an unprecedented promotion, skipping three ranks to replace a lieutenant commander while still an ensign.
From childhood dreams to wartime bravery and family legacy, our centenarian, Niel Spillane embodies a century of resilience, dedication, and love.
A Life Beyond Accomplishments
But Niel wasn’t just defined by his accomplishments; he spoke warmly of his late wife, a social worker who believed in the power of human connection. He had even carved and painted a decorative statue to honor her. His grandchildren were thriving, one of them a proud Webb graduate, Colin Spillane ’13, who was following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
His voice grew animated as he talked about helping to establish the Honor Code that made Webb a safe and respectful space. Webb Institute’s Honor Council is a student-led organization responsible for upholding the school’s Honor Code. Students pledge to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and personal conduct.
The Spillane family, came from all around the country to celebrate Niel’s 100th birthday at his house
in Mystic, Connecticut. It was a reunion to remember, filled with love, laughter, and cherished
memories.
Life Lessons from Webb
“Webb was unlike any other school. People are not competing – they’re actually helping one another graduate,” he said. I learned from speaking with him that there is no zero-sum game in the reality of life. Webb is a microcosm of life in general – the more you help others, the more you will get back. Niel talked about how everyone studied late nights at the library and explained concepts to classmates who were struggling so they didn’t have to stress alone.
I smiled as he told me about his memories and how Webb changed how he viewed the world as I’ve always believed that kindness and generosity tend to be reciprocated. And, here he is telling me about the valuable life lessons he learned in college. “Life isn’t about tearing others down to build yourself up. It’s about lifting each other up, knowing that by doing so, we all rise together. By collaborating and supporting one another, students are developing valuable life skills that will serve them well beyond graduation.”
The Secret to Longevity
As we wrapped up the interview, I didn’t forget my initial question on what his secret was to staying healthy and living up to 100, as I still wasn’t feeling 100 percent from the sushi two nights before. He left me with advice that was simple yet profound: “Don’t eat until you’re full—stop at 80%, and prioritize joy. Also, avoid nasty people. I don’t know if that’s a secret, but it seems to contribute to a fulfilling and healthy life.”
Despite the obstacles and challenges he’d faced for a century, Niel brimmed with joy. Articulate and sharp, he proved that age was just a number. At 100, he had just renewed his driver’s license for another eight years.
(In the collage below, explore Niel’s journey through time – capturing moments from his youth to celebrating his centennial year.)
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.
“We are honored to be recognized by The Princeton Review in their 2025 edition,” said Mark Martecchini, President of Webb Institute. “These rankings reflect our core mission to provide an unparalleled educational experience. At Webb, we strive to cultivate an environment where students are not only learners but also innovators and leaders in their field.”
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.