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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARITIME ADMINISTRATION UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY Kings Point, New York 84th Commencement Exercises Saturday, June 20, 2020 UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY 1943-2019: America’s Maritime Academy in Peace and War MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY To educate and graduate leaders of exemplary character who are committed to serving the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. CLASS OF 2020: BY THE NUMBERS Current as of June 12, 2020 Admitted Summer 2016: 279 Graduating Class Size: 210 Graduating today: 206 Licenses: 101 Deck / 109 Engine Men: 166 Women: 44 Minority representation: 41 U.S. Merchant Marine: 125* Active Duty: 83* Army: 9 Navy: 33 Air Force: 7 Marine Corps: 14 Coast Guard: 20 KP Scholars: 3 *Numbers are not inclusive of entire Class of 2020 MESSAGE FROM REAR ADMIRAL JACK BUONO, 13th SUPERINTENDENT U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY Welcome to the first ever semi- virtual graduation at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the 84th Commencement exercises. Six months ago, Class of 2020, I told you to hold your course and finish strong. I told you your journey to personal greatness was nearly at an end and there was light at the end of the tunnel. Who knew what 2020 was going to bring? Three months ago the COVID-19 pandemic hit us, and hit us hard. You were challenged with distance learning and a Regimental system that was spread across the country. But Kings Point rallied around you. We made you our priority. Getting the Class of 2020 back for licensing and graduation was an all hands on deck operation. There were moments when we didn’t think we’d make it to this point, but with your perseverance, we made it… YOU made it! Here you are at the first live graduation production ever to be accomplished at USMMA. It may not be the graduation you had hoped for, but we hope it is the graduation you will remember forever. As you sit in the hallowed ground around the War Memorial, in the shadow of the magnificent Wiley Hall, enjoy the moment and remember, you are joining a long, proud line of USMMA graduates who are not only “strife born,” but who have succeeded in challenging environments around the world. You are prepared to join that long line and you will lead with integrity, respect, and honor. You will reject prejudice, hate and violence and you will help your shipmates stand taller than yourselves. Today you start a new journey to personal greatness, one that will last for your lifetime. Take a moment and soak in the day. Thank your families and friends. We have high hopes for you Class of 2020, and we know you will deliver. Ignis Aurum Probat!* And best of luck in the future. *Ignis Aurum Probat is the Class of 2020 motto. Loosely translated, it means “Fire tests Gold,” meaning strong people are tested by adversity. THE CEREMONIAL MACE The Academy Mace is displayed at the center podium today. It typically leads the Commencement procession. The use of a mace dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was carried before or placed near a magistrate or other official as a representation of authority. The Mace used today is fabricated of sterling silver. It depicts the earth supported on the tails of dolphins, surmounted by the Savannah, the first vessel to make a transatlantic crossing under steam power. The Mace was originally designed in 1974 as a ceremonial baton for the Drum Major of the Regimental Band. Dr. Gabe Colef, a Professor in the Department of Marine Engineering has the distinction of serving as the Mace bearer at USMMA. THE PORT SOCONY BELL The bell being used today has deep history in New York state. On a normal day, the bell resides in the Superintendent’s office at USMMA. But more than 80 years ago, it proudly rang in visitors to the Standard Oil Company (SOCONY), Port of New York, an oil terminal on Staten Island. It moved around the New York area regularly in the early years as Standard Oil became Standard-Vacuum, Mobil Oil, and Exxon-Mobil, just to name a few. Today, that bell, older than the Academy itself, and manufactured by the renowned J.M. Loeffler Company in Philadelphia, PA, stands in a place of honor in front of the dais. In a salute to our graduating class, we will ring the bell one time, as each student receives their diploma. THE HISTORIC GRADUATION OF THE CLASS OF 2020 Today’s graduation takes on a new and different look. As you can see, the First Class and the official party are sitting with social distancing of at least 6 feet. You will see personal protective equipment on, and with, each essential participant, as we have taken every precaution to protect our graduates against inadvertent exposure to COVID-19. In addition, graduates will only pass in front of the dais today - never closer than six feet away - to receive their diplomas, rather than coming across the dais. In an effort to maintain social distancing, we will be delivering each diploma directly from the dais, to the graduating student who will remain at ground level. In place of the traditional handshake, each graduating senior will exchange salutes with the Superintendent, and at the ring of the Port SOCONY bell placed in front of the dais, will return to the graduating class. As they make their way back to their seats, each graduate will pause at the base of the ramp leading to the War Memorial, render a salute in honor of those lost, and proceed back to their original seat. Out of an abundance of caution for our graduating Midshipmen and their families, we are holding a closed commencement today in favor of a semi-virtual ceremony that we are livestreaming around the world. It is semi-virtual because many of our guests are joining us via video, or video link, while only a few are actually in attendance. We are glad you are “here,” and we hope you enjoy the ceremony. Congratulations to the USMMA Class of 2020. THE ACADEMY BATTLE STANDARD The United States Merchant Marine Academy is privileged among the nation’s five federal service academies to carry a battle standard as part of its Color Guard. The Academy’s battle standard proudly commemorates and perpetuates the memory of the Cadet-Midshipmen who gave the last full measure of devotion in World War II. During times of war, members of the Armed Forces engage in combat, but the students at their respective service academies do not. The students at USMMA receive an integral part of their training at sea, and in World War II, often found their lives in peril as they sailed through enemy-controlled waters or unloaded precious cargo in overseas combat areas. In all, 142 Cadet-Midshipmen shipped out, but never returned. In their memory, our battle standard bears the number “142.” REAR ADMIRAL MARK H. “BUZ” BUZBY, USN, RET. MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR COMMANDANT, U.S. MARITIME SERVICE Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in June 1979, is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University in Strategic Studies and International Relations, respectively. Buzby commanded destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), Destroyer Squadron THIRTY-ONE, Surface Warfare Officers School Command, and Joint Task Force GUANTANAMO BAY. As a junior officer, Buzby served in USS CONNOLE (FF1056), USS ARIES (PHM 5), USS YORKTOWN (CG 48), USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53) and USS SHILOH (CG 67) primarily in operations and combat systems billets. In 1985, he was the Atlantic Fleet Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year. Ashore, he served on staffs of SIXTH Fleet, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the Navy staff, and the Joint Staff. Buzby served as the Commander of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command from October 2009 to March 2013. Buzby’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards) and various other unit and campaign awards. Commencement Speaker HONORABLE ELAINE L. CHAO U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION Secretary Elaine Chao is currently the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. This is her second cabinet position. She served as U.S. Secretary of Labor from 2001 to January 2009, and is the first Asian American woman to be appointed to the President's cabinet in American history. Secretary Chao comes to the U.S. Department of Transportation with extensive experience in the transportation sector. Early in her career, she specialized in transportation financing in the private sector. She began her executive career in public service working on transportation and trade issues at the White House. She then served as Deputy Maritime Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation; Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission; and, Deputy Secretary of the U.S.

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