by John B. McGrath, Senior Development Officer
May 8, 2009
The Maritime Industry Museum at SUNY Maritime College celebrated SCI’s commitment to the welfare of mariners on April 25, 2009, at Fort Schuyler in New York City. Recognizing the Seamen’s Church Institute along with hospital ship Project Hope for its “maritime humanitarianism,” SCI Trustee and Maritime Industry Museum Chairman Jim McNamara cited SCI’s 175 years of service to the seafarers.
In addition to McNamara, three other SCI trustees joined Rider in thanking the Maritime Industry Museum for its recognition of SCI’s humanitarianism: Ray Hayden, Bob North, and Clay Maitland. All four have received degrees from the Maritime College. Ray Hayden also presented congratulations and thanks to Admiral Floyd “Hoss” Miller, USN (Ret.), honored by the Museum for being the “founding father” of the Museum. As head of the college council, Hayden worked with Admiral Miller when Miller served as President of the Maritime College.
McNamara described SCI as a safe haven for seafarers. He noted, during the Great Depression, for example, as many as 1,000 beds were filled each night in the hotel accommodations at 25 South Street. He also cited SCI for its extensive programs in maritime education. Rider concurred, noting that SCI is on a steady course of reinventing itself to meet the ever-changing needs of the mariners and the shipping industry.
