Coast Guard Academy Scholars Newsletter
Nov/Dec 2021
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Special Message from the Commandant |
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On behalf of the entire Academics Division, congratulations on your continued success as Coast Guard Academy Scholars. As Provost and Chief Academic Officer, my job is to make sure CGA provides you a world-class academic program that will be immediately relevant to your career as a Coast Guard leader, and that will support your success throughout your lifetime. You have already made a powerful personal choice by joining the CGAS program and beginning your journey to earn your Bachelor of Science degree from the Coast Guard Academy. Achieving this will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Our faculty are eager to meet you and are ready to teach, advise, and support you when you tackle the profound challenges ahead. For now, focus hard on your studies. Your commitment today will pay off when you join the great class of 2026, and you’ll be glad of every effort you made.
GO BEARS!
Dr. Amy Donahue
Provost, U. S. Coast Guard Academy
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Upcoming November Dates:
- GMC Thanksgiving Break 11/24/21-11/28/21
- MMI Thanksgiving Break 11/22/21-11/26/21
- NAPS Thanksgiving Break 11/23/21-11/29/21
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Upcoming December Dates:
- GMC/MMI Holiday Dinner Party 12/4/21
- NAPS Holiday Dinner Party 12/18/21
- GMC Winter Break 12/15/21- 01/11/22
- MMI Winter Break 12/15/21- 01/06/22
- NAPS Winter Break 12/21/21-01/04/22
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Get To Know Your Shipmates |
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What is your Major? Management
What made you apply to CGA? Over my middle and high school years, I learned from my dad and some of his colleagues about the Coast Guard’s important mission and how it is a unique blend of military, law enforcement and public safety operations. Beyond that, I was really drawn to the idea of being part of something bigger than myself. I had the privilege of being able to communicate with the USCGA Women’s Lacrosse Coaching staff and learned more about athletic and academic life at the Academy. In addition to meeting and speaking with the coaches, my interaction with the USCGA Cadre and Cadets at Bears Day and the AIM Program further fueled my interest and motivated me to work even harder to become an applicant who is worthy of consideration.
What Sports or activities do you plan on participating in at CGA? Lacrosse, Aviation Club, Cadet Activities Council, Cadets Against Sexual Assault
Where is your Hometown? Gambrills, MD
What is one fun fact about yourself? I have a twin brother named Lucas and my two younger sisters, Isabella and Rhiannon, are also twins.
What do you enjoy about your Prep school? In my experience at GMC so far, I have enjoyed improving on my time management and study skills. GMC has helped me transition from a civilian lifestyle with athletics and academics to a military lifestyle where time management and effective study skills are extremely important. With the rigorous schedule at GMC, I have learned useful strategies for studying and planning my day. All of which will help me excel at the Academy. Here at GMC, it has been difficult to be so far away from my family, but thanks to the friends and deep connections I have made here with my fellow Coast Guard and other Service Academy scholars. I have been able to not only make it through that challenge, but truly enjoy the time I have here.
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What is your Major? Government
What made you apply to CGA? I applied to The Coast Guard Academy because it will help me to pursue my educational goals but also allow me to serve in the military. I am extremely interested in the structured education that I can obtain, as well as the mission of the Academy. The CGA appeals to me for several reasons. I have been raised to honor and respect those that have authority over me, my family, friends, and all people. Helping others through humanitarian aid and serving our country is what the CGA is all about. The Coast Guard Academy perfectly aligns with my goals and aspirations for the future.
What sports or activities do you plan on participating in at CGA? I plan on running for the Track and Field team
Where is your hometown? Wilmington, OH
What is one fun fact about yourself? I love to travel!
What do you enjoy about your Prep school? So far, what I enjoy most about my prep school experience is the people. I have met incredible M/Cs that I will be friends with for the rest of my life, and for that, I am forever grateful. Although the classes are tough and the days are long, the people and my end goal, make it worth it. I also enjoy how the prep school challenges me to become better in every aspect of my life. Whether it’s academics, athletics, or leadership, it teaches me that when I strive to be the best that I can be, I will excel and achieve my highest level of success.
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What is your Major? Management
What made you apply to CGA? I desire to be professionally trained in maritime pursuits to continue my island culture's centuries old traditions of our Proa voyaging navigator ancestors as a steward in protecting and safeguarding our natural resources that we rely on for sustenance and recreation.
What sports or activities do you plan on participating in at CGA? Pistol Team, Sailing Team.
Where is your hometown? Chalan Kanoa, Saipan
What is one fun fact about yourself? I can do the Spongebob laugh.
What do you enjoy about your Prep school? Immersing myself in a challenging environment and interacting with fellow cadets who motivate and inspire me to strive to be the best I can be.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION/UPDATES:
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Please see ALCOAST 396/21 for information about National Native American History Month.
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See ACN 115/21 for information about COVID Booster Shots.
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Mandatory Flu Vaccines, please read ALCOAST 308/21 for more information.
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CGA Staff Highlight:
Dr. Richard Freeman-Mechanical Engineering
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Hi Scholars! I am Prof Richard Freeman. I am a professor in Mechanical Engineering and the Lead Academic Adviser for Mechanical. In that role, I work with the cadets and faculty on academic issues- applying for Internships and Exchange, replacing classes because of validations, working with cadets that want to take classes at Connecticut College, and with cadets that are having academic issues. I can answer most academic questions and can find an answer to questions I can’t answer.
In addition to being Lead Adviser, I teach Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design (3/c course), Engineering Experimentation (1/c course) and Mechatronics (1/c course). I am a licensed Professional Engineer in Connecticut. When I am not teaching classes, or doing other work, I am also part of a research group focusing on CubeSats- satellites built out of 4 inch x 4 inch x 4 inch units. We are currently building a CubeSat with Old Dominion University to launch August 2022. This will be the fifth Satellite and first CubeSat USCGA has launched, so I am excited.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. We are here to help you succeed.
Dr. Richard W. Freeman
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HEY EVERYONE! I hope all of you are doing well and you’re enjoying your time so far at your various prep schools. Time is moving so fast here at the Academy. Before we know it, you guys will be reporting in for Swab summer! We currently are getting ready for Thanksgiving leave which is approaching very soon, followed by Christmas break. Sports also have picked up a lot this year following Covid, so we are all very excited to start competing “normally” again. Track practices just started up, so I am excited for that as well.
I hope you guys are really taking care of each other at your prep schools. To this day, my best friends are still scholars, and our bonds only continue to grow. Continue to keep each other accountable and help each other get through this year so you can all return to the Academy. You all are being presented with a unique opportunity to get a year of military and school under your belts so take full advantage and be ready to be the leaders of your platoons and your class during swab summer and for the school year as well.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or want to say hello! I look forward to seeing you all next year!
Warm wishes,
2/c Michelle Kwafo
Charlie PC (retired)
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NAPS CC Hilden, CC Pearson, & CC Bowman cheer on Navy at the Army vs. Navy Game |
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NAPS CC Bowman & CC Desta visit Battleship Cove |
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GMC CC Moring, CC Prinner, CC Wasson & CC Stephens competed in Cross Country D3 Nationals
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CC Tighe, CC Farias, CC Mar, & CC Wasson attend GMC Sponsor Family Gathering. |
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Can you spot your Cadre in their CGAS group photo? Top picture is CGAS 2019 and bottom picture is them as Second Class Cadets. |
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Helpful Resources
Tutor.Com has been a super helpful tool for many of you. Former Cadet Candidate, 4/c Grace Beardsley who attended GMC shared her experience, "The tutoring program is super beneficial. I really like how quickly I can be connected to somebody and how easily navigated it is. It has helped me get the hang of many Chemistry assignments, and I plan on continuing to use it when needed. Thank you for making this first session a requirement, because I wouldn't have valued this tool as much as I know that I should."
CG SUPRT: The CG SUPRT Program offers free and confidential services to help maximize your potential.
USCG Coronavirus: Where you can get the most up to date CG Coronavirus information.
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November Coast Guard History
11/26/2002:President George W. Bush signed into law a bill that created the Department of Homeland Security, the largest reorganization of the federal government in fifty years. The Coast Guard was one of a number of agencies that transferred to the new Department; the transfer was scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2003.
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December Coast Guard History
12/07/1941: The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and surrounding Army Air Force airfields in Hawaii. Stationed in Honolulu were the Coast Guard's 327-foot cutter Taney, the 190-foot buoy tender Kukui, two 125-foot patrol craft, Reliance and Tiger, two 78-foot patrol boats, and several smaller craft. At the time of the attack, Taney lay at Pier Six in Honolulu Harbor, Reliance and the unarmed Kukui both lay at Pier Four and Tiger was on patrol along the western shore of Oahu. All were performing normal duties for a peacetime Sunday. After the attack commenced Tiger conducted anti-submarine sweeps outside of Pearl Harbor and Taney opened fire on Japanese aircraft that appeared over Honolulu Harbor.
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ESPN Sports Center Special Salute To Veterans |
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Please check out the links below to view the ESPN Sports Center Veteran's Day Salute to Military-Coast Guard Edition and see how former NAPSter, now 4/c Cadet Solomon Ashby has a link in his chain to the Pea Island Life Saving Station. |
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See what's going on at CGA! |
Click HERE to explore what's happening at The Coast Guard Academy.
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I am a Coast Guardsman.
I serve the people of the United States. I will protect them.
I will defend them.
I will save them.
I am their shield.
For them I am Semper Paratus.
I live the Coast Guard Core Values.
I am proud to be a Coast Guardsman. We are the United States Coast Guard.
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Thank you for making these newsletters so fun to produce! If you have ideas for future articles, suggestions or photos, please email them to [email protected] or [email protected]
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