Carpenter First Woman President at SUNY Maritime
The State University of New York Board of Trustees on June 30 unanimously appointed Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USN, president of State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College. Admiral Carpenter is currently serving as the Commander of the Navy’s Warfare Development Command. The SUNY Board of Trustees voted on her appointment at a special meeting held on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Rear Admiral Carpenter is the first woman to serve as president of SUNY Maritime College.
Speaking of the newly appointed SUNY Maritime College president, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said, “Admiral Carpenter’s 30-plus years of naval experience and leadership make her ideally suited to be the next president of SUNY Maritime, where she is certain to enhance the college’s national reputation for excellence in academic, athletic, and leadership training. Admiral Carpenter is among the Navy’s elite, and she will be an outstanding addition to the SUNY leadership team.”
Carpenter was among the first women to be designated as a naval aviator. Graduating from flight school at the top of her class, she was selected for immediate duty as the first selectively retained graduate instructor pilot in the T-44 advanced multi-engine pipeline. In 2005, she became the Navy’s first woman aviator promoted to the rank of admiral.
College Council and Search Committee Chair Timothea Larr said, “Our extensive national search produced a strong pool of candidates from higher education, the Navy, and the maritime industry, all of which was a reflection of SUNY Maritime College’s recognized reputation for excellence. Admiral Carpenter emerged as an outstanding model of leadership and accomplishment. The search committee was highly impressed with Admiral Carpenter's demonstrated record of leadership and significant executive accomplishments, as well as her training background and graduate studies. She will advance SUNY Maritime College’s vision of being first and foremost in international maritime education, training, and research.”
Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, said, “I applaud the selection of RADM Carpenter to head SUNY Maritime. She brings extraordinary experience and perspective from her many assignments in the U.S. Navy.”
Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, USN, who has been tapped as the Navy’s next Chief of Naval Operations, said, “I have had the honor and privilege of serving with Admiral Wendi Carpenter for several years. She has a unique combination of intellect, leadership, and management. Wendi is among our most innovative and insightful Flag Officers. I predict great things at SUNY under her leadership.”
Admiral Carpenter said, “SUNY Maritime College is a unique campus that offers students some of the strongest, most competitive programs and training in the country. I am delighted to be considered for this position and grateful to Chancellor Zimpher, Chairwoman Larr, and the search committee for their confidence in my ability to serve as Maritime president. I look forward to putting my 30-plus years of Naval experience in many different areas of executive leadership into practice at SUNY Maritime College."
Outgoing Maritime President Admiral John Craine, USN (Ret.) said, “It has been an honor serving The State University of New York and Maritime College, and I am delighted to be turning over leadership to Admiral Wendi Carpenter. I have the utmost confidence that she will thrive as president and truly support and encourage the outstanding work of the students, faculty, and staff of this wonderful institution."
