Craine To Be Proposed as Interim President at SUNY Maritime College

Vice Admiral John W. Craine Jr. USN (Ret.) will be proposed as interim president of the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College next week. Craine recently retired as the Chief of Naval Education and Training for the Navy where he was responsible for all training and education programs across the Navy, including technical and flight training, and Naval ROTC programs. The State University Board of Trustees will vote on this formal appointment Oct. 23, and Craine will take office Oct. 24. Once approved, he will serve through June 2002. SUNY Maritime College is a four-year institution located at historic Fort Schuyler in Throggs Neck, N.Y. Craine, who already is serving as a special advisor to the chancellor, will assist King and senior university officers on a number of special projects, including international programs and distance learning.

Craine served in his most recent position since 1998 and was responsible for a network of Naval education and training programs in the United States and abroad, with an annual budget of $1.5 billion serving 400,000 officers and sailors at 168 training sites around the country. Craine also oversaw 57 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps units at colleges and universities throughout the United States, including the Maritime College. He flew 115 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and four Legions of Merit, along with many other honors.

SUNY Maritime's current president, Rear Admiral David Brown, announced last year that he was stepping down after seven years of service. He has agreed to take on a special assignment with the State Emergency Management Office and the State University to help with World Trade Center recovery operations.

SUNY Chancellor, Robert L. King noted that Craine will have the services of an experienced and capable administrative team that includes Vice President & COO Kim Cline, Provost Phil Smukler, VP/Enrollment Dierdre Whitman, and acting Commandant of Cadets Capt. Rick Smith. "This team has helped the campus deal with recent financial challenges to the point where the campus is now on sound footing and enrollments are increasing," King said.