Stavridis is Kings Point commencement speaker
Adm. James G. Stavridis, USN, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, will deliver the keynote address at commencement exercises on June 16 for the 213 members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s class of 2008.
Stavridis’ SOUTHCOM is responsible for contingency planning, operations and security cooperation for Central and South America, the Caribbean, Cuba and the Bahamas as well as the Panama Canal.
Located in Miami, SOUTHCOM comprises more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and several federal agencies.
Prior to his current post, Stavridis commanded a destroyer squadron and an aircraft carrier strike group that conducted operations in the Persian Gulf in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s class of 2008, who have been trained as merchant marine and Naval Reserve officers, represent 39 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, the Class includes one student each from Panama and Venezuela. Midshipman Robert T. Grandstaff of Red Oak, Texas, will deliver the valedictory address.
During the graduation ceremony, the academy superintendent, Vice Adm. Joseph D. Stewart, will present third mate licenses to 129 members of the class. Third assistant engineer licenses will go to 84 midshipmen. All graduates receive bachelor of science degrees.
Forty-two members of the 2008 class will be commissioned for active military service: 17 in the U.S. Navy: eight in the Marine Corps; 1l in the Coast Guard; one in the Air Force; and five in the Army. In addition, two graduates will take a reserve commission in the Army National Guard; two in the Army Reserve; and two in the Coast Guard Reserve.
Thirty-six women are part of this year’s class, bringing the total number of academy female graduates to 621. USMMA, in 1974, was the first federal academy to admit women.
Stavridis is Kings Point commencement speaker
