Great Lakes Maritime Academy Alumni

Admiral George B. Rector Community Service Award

The Alumni Association awards this honor to graduates (sailing or non-sailing) who have found the time to serve their community in a significant way. It is awarded in memory of Admiral George Rector, Chief Engineer, Engineering Instructor, and Superintendent of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy who believed that community service was a duty of our chosen profession, and who practiced it in his own life.

Recipients:

1995 – Thomas M. Reeber (Deck 1984)

1996 – Joseph Yuchasz (Deck 1983)

1998 – Jerrold R. Hall (Deck 1981)

1999 – Timothy F. Nixon (Deck 1979)

2002 – Christopher Branson (Engine 1976)

2004 – Paul A. Hurley (Engine 1978)

2006 – Edward Harris (Deck 1981)

2009 – John Hayes (Engine 1973)

Special Service Awards

The Alumni Association awards this honor to graduates who have performed beyond the norm and above the call in their duties aboard ship and in the service of the profession.

Recipients:

1990 – Randy Hayes (Deck 1984) and Captain Paul Halverson of Upper Great Lakes Pilots Inc. for their skillful actions during the rescue of the fifty-three person crew of the USCGC Mesquite on 4 December 1989.

 1991 – Daniel A. Rentschler (Deck 1990) for his courageous rescue attempt following the tragic explosion and burning of the M/V Jupiter on 16 September 1990.

 1998 – William Rabatsky (Deck 1979) for his skillful rescue of the six lives aboard the tug Hamp Thomas, her barge, and the tug Paddy Miles caught in a storm off Cleveland, 14 December 1991.

2009 – Michael Surgalski (Deck 1979) for his part in the rescue of a victim of a foundered vessel in the Detroit River, 25 April 1985.

Honorary Members

The Alumni Association awards this honor to non-graduates who have distinguished themselves in support of the Academy and/or of the Association.

Honorees:

1976 – Gerald Ford, former President of the U.S. from Grand Rapids.

1976 – Admiral Willard Smith, USCG Air Station Traverse City Commander (1946-1948), USCGC Mackinaw Captain (1952-1954), Superintendent of the US Coast Guard Academy (1962-1965), Commander, 9th Coast Guard District (1965-1966), Commandant of the U S. Coast Guard (1966-1970).

1976 – Captain Wheatley Neuman “Mike” Hemmick III, GLMA Superintendent

1976 – Rear Admiral George B. Rector, GLMA Superintendent (1974-1984).

1976 – Mrs. Ann Dilley.

1976 – Mr. Mike “Dean” McChrystal.

1976 – Mr. Joe Dion.

1976 – Mr. Bill King.

1977 – Colonel “Bo” Bossardet.

19?? – Skip Hemmick, son of former GLMA Superintendent Mike Hemmick. Deceased 2003.

1981 – Captain Daniel Mania, for contributions to the Maritime Academy.

1981 – Mr. John Zimmerman, for contributions to the Maritime Academy.

1995 – Louise & Art Wilkes, retired GLMA Administrative Assistant.

1997 – Marc Rohn,

2002 – Jerry Williams, GLMA Engine Department Instructor and Department Head.

2002 – Rear Admiral John Tanner, GLMA Instructor, Department Head and Superintendent.

2003 – Captain George Ryan, retired President of the Lake Carriers Association.

2004 – Captain Jerry Linenger USN Ret., physician, NASA astronaut, Honorary Chairman Great Lakes Campus Fund Raising Campaign.

2005 – Mr. John Berck, Academy Admissions Coordinator, and tireless friend to the Alumni.

2007 – Mr. William Craig, retired Captain and volunteer to the Maritime Academy.

2007 – Mr. Brendan O’Connor, Interlake executive and friend to the Maritime Academy.

2009 – Mr. Stephen Drake, NMC Math professor and friend to the Maritime Academy.

2010 – Sue Tanner, 1st Lady of the Academy, friend of the Academy and cadets, wife the RADM John Tanner – longest serving Superintendent at GLMA.