A special message from the Webb community in honor of this year’s graduates.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We wish you the best as you begin your next voyage!
Please enjoy this special message from the Webb community in honor of this year’s graduates.
The Class of 2020 – Commencement Awards
In addition to the awarding of degrees, several students received additional awards and prizes for their outstanding academic achievements in a variety of areas, such as excellence in thesis, excellence in mathematics, highest general average, and exemplary commitment of service to others through volunteerism, community service, and civic outreach.
List of Awards and Awardees
— Total Performance —
CHAFFEE MEMORIAL PRIZE
Louis Bock
for general excellence
{Sponsored by Trustee Joseph J. Cuneo ’57}
— Leadership and Ethics —
PATRICK S. MATRASCIA GOOD SHIPMATE AWARD
Audra Milbitz
for working unselfishly and in harmony with classmates
{Sponsored by President R. Keith Michel ’73}
THE CHARLES KURZ II (Hon.) COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Isa Hill
Reneé Tremblay
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
Max Pierce
for demonstrated commitment to ethics
{Sponsored by Paul E. Atkinson Memorial Fund}
— Academics —
J. LEWIS LUCKENBACH MEMORIAL PRIZE
Jonathan Wang
for highest average over four years
{Sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping}
CHARLES A. WARD, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD
Jonathan Wang
for excellence in naval architecture
{Sponsored by Charles A. Ward Memorial Fund}
JENS T. HOLM ’41 MEMORIAL AWARD
Louis Bock
for excellence in marine engineering
{Sponsored by George Gilmore ’57}
KEELER MEMORIAL PRIZE
Jonathan Wang
for excellence in mathematics
{Sponsored by Trustee Dr. Luther Tai}
RICHARD A. PARTANEN HUMANITIES AWARD
Mara DuVernois
for excellence in humanities
{Sponsored by Dean Matthew R. ’95, PG’97 & Tisha Werner}
CURRAN MEMORIAL PRIZE
Reneé Tremblay
for most outstanding and consistent academic improvement
{Sponsored by Trustee and Mrs. John A. Malone ’71}
— Thesis —
STEVENSON TAYLOR MEMORIAL PRIZE
Brandon Wui
for excellence in the senior thesis
{Sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping}
LEWIS NIXON MEMORIAL PRIZE
Max Pierce
T. Zane Tinnell
for excellence in the senior thesis
{Sponsored by Trustee Emeritus John W. Russell ’67}
HONORABLE MENTION FOR THESIS
Linda Waters
Senior Spotlight: Matthew Migliozzi ’20
Hometown: Chatham, NJ
Thesis Title: A Thermodynamic Exergy Analysis to Optimize a Combined Brayton-Rankine Cycle
Post Graduate Plans: Graduate work in Shipping, Trade and Finance at Cass Business School
Favorite Quote.
“You should take the approach that you’re wrong. Your goal is to be less wrong.” – Elon Musk
What would people be surprised to know about you?
Math was my worst subject in high school. English was my best. I came to Webb because I loved ships and wanted to improve on what I perceived as my weaknesses.
Do you have any advice for incoming students?
Join the sailing team, the intercollegiate dinghy team. You have your whole life to sail big boats, but only four years to compete in intercollegiate sailing. This team gives you the opportunity to compete in an intercollegiate sport and meet people from different schools with different majors and different ideas. Try to meet people with as many different perspectives as you can. Webb is great, but everyone is a Naval Architect. It is refreshing and beneficial to speak with people with different backgrounds that will challenge you to think differently. Take the time to develop your own thoughts and think deeply to ensure they’re your own. My hardest moments at Webb were when I forgot this, and being part of the sailing team helped me remember.
What was your favorite class at Webb and why?
Ship Design II because in that class, for the first time, I felt like I understood what it meant to design a ship. The class was a lot of work, but it solidified a lot of the concepts I had learned in previous Webb courses which were just abstract concepts to me before Ship Design II.
Senior Spotlight: Duane Lee ’20
Hometown: Portland, OR
Thesis Title: Concept Design and Economic Feasibility Study of a Modular Underwater Apartment: A Case Study at Webb Institute
Post Graduate Plans: Aspire rotational program at ABS
Why did you choose Webb?
I wanted to study architecture at first, but after learning about Webb, I gained an interest in naval architecture and marine engineering. While I wanted to design something cool, I also liked math/science, so I thought NA/ME was a nice combination of the two. Also, I wanted to be part of the small, unique community at Webb.
What will you miss the most about Webb?
I will miss living together with my classmates. Even with numerous late-nighters, my classmates made my time here enjoyable.
What’s your favorite spot on campus and why?
My favorite spot on campus is my couch in my dorm room in STH (room #211). After a long day, I enjoyed staring out the window or at my white wall while sitting on my couch.
What was your favorite Winter Work internship?
My favorite Winter Work internship was working at Eagle Bulk in its Singapore office. The internship gave me a nice exposure to the global maritime industry. It was also fun to work and learn from people from around the world. Also, living in Singapore was a lovely experience.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about doing interesting and/or meaningful things. I hope to apply what I’ve learned at Webb to do cool and interesting work.
Senior Spotlight: Audra Milbitz
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Thesis Title: An Environmental and Feasibility Analysis of a Dual-Fuel System for a High-Speed Diesel Engine on a Fishing Vessel
Post Graduate Plans: BLOM Maritime
What was your favorite Winter Work internship?
My favorite winter work experience was my senior year working at BLOM Maritime in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I enjoyed the office environment and the responsibilities I was given at the company as an intern. Another thing that made this winter work my favorite is that I was able to hang out with other Webbies, go to the beach, and get my scuba certification.
What’s your favorite spot on campus and why?
My favorite spot on campus is anywhere I can watch the sunset because the sunsets over the Long Island Sound never get old.
Do you have any advice for incoming students?
Take full advantage of your four years at Webb. Get involved with leadership, participate in the sports teams, and volunteer in the community. The workload may seem overwhelming sometimes, but don’t let it stop you from participating in the Webb community.
Favorite Quote.
“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway” – John Wayne