Continuing its support of students wishing to enter maritime, transportation and logistics fields, Crowley Maritime Corporation this week presented four U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) midshipmen with Thomas B. Crowley Sr. memorial scholarships totaling $10,000.
Ira Douglas, representative of marine crewing for Crowley, recognized Midshipmen Sonha Bilunas, Lawrence Fioravanti, Eric Icke and Jeremy Maginot during the Containerization and Intermodal Institute's (CII) annual luncheon at the Newark Club in Newark, New Jersey.
Crowley has provided scholarship aid to USMMA students since 1993. To qualify, students must demonstrate scholastic achievement, leadership skills, initiative, teamwork, a history of community involvement and a desire to make a career in the maritime industry. The recipients are chosen each year in the spring and fall by the academy but aren't formally recognized until December. Crowley also extends formal internships when possible as an additional benefit to the scholarship recipients.
Over the years, Crowley has given more than $100,000 to deserving students at the maritime academies and other select institutions in the name of Thomas B. Crowley Sr., who guided the company to extraordinary heights before passing away in 1994. Tom Crowley Jr., his son, is now chairman, president and CEO.
Bilunas is a senior majoring in logistics and intermodal transportation, originally from Kunsan, South Korea. She has been awarded as the Assistant Drill Instructor of the Year for the class of 2010 and received academic stars for her achievements. She is also the Platoon Commander for First Company Second Deck leading over 50 peers and underclassmen through the daily regimental routines. In high school she participated in many varsity athletics such as soccer, where she was captain, and volleyball.
Fioravanti is a senior from Minnesota majoring in maritime operations and technology with plans on graduating with an unlimited third mate's license and QMED (unlicensed engine room) endorsement. He was originally drawn to the towing industry as a child watching tugboats assist large iron ore ships in Duluth. Fioravanti also spent time aboard a Crowley tugboat during his internship in Long Beach, Calif.
Icke is a senior from San Antonio, Texas majoring in marine engineering systems with a minor in naval architecture. While at the Academy, Icke has been a member of the varsity basketball team, participated in several engineering projects, and is currently working on a national design project for the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, dedicated to designing ultra green Liquid Natural Gas Ships capable of arctic transport. Icke has visited almost 30 countries, throughout Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, while working with several different maritime companies including Crowley aboard the M/V Cape Trinity in 2006.
Maginot is a senior from Huntington Beach, Calif. Through his years at the Academy, he has earned a 3.5 cumulative GPA and has participated in many extracurricular activities including football and student government. He is currently the president of the Jewish Midshipman Club. After graduation he hopes to work aboard harbor or coastal tugs in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area.