Crowley Awards Scholarships to Three Cadets in California
Crowley Maritime Corporation awarded three Thomas B. Crowley, Sr., Memorial scholarships to California Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) students Andrew Leonard, Jeff Harcq and James McSweeney during the 2013 Containerization and Intermodal Institute’s Connie Awards dinner in Long Beach, Calif., Thursday night. Crowley Training Specialist Victoria Ellis presented the scholarships at the event, which was attended by more than 200 maritime and transportation professionals.
Leonard, a native of Glendale, Arizona, has had a long-time passion of the water and boating, and began researching maritime academies while still in high school. He now serves as the residential assistant for his freshman class, is a member of the Associated Students of the California Maritime Academy and is an active supporter of the greater City of Vallejo, Calif. While Leonard has not settled on a particular path in the maritime industry, he eventually wants to achieve the rank of master.
When Harcq applied to Cal Maritime, he had already obtained his 50-ton master’s license and had more than 10 years experience as a mechanic for the Correct Craft boat dealer in Sand Diego. As a student, he has fully embraced his role as a valuable mentor for his younger classmates by sharing his real-world experiences in the classroom. Though Harcq has not formally decided on an exact career path after graduation, he has set his sights on the tug industry.
McSweeney’s path to Cal Maritime was one filled with self discovery and life-changing moments. Diagnosed with dyslexia in middle school, he made the decision to forgo college upon graduating from high school in exchange for a deckhand position aboard a fishing boat in Alaska. During one of the fishing seasons, McSweeney was approached by a Cal Maritime alumnus who encouraged McSweeney to return to school. After being accepted to the school, he began pursuing his U.S. Coast Guard 3rd Mate Unlimited license and a Bachelor of Science degree in marine transportation. He also holds the role of squad leader for his class, while maintaining a 3.7 grade-point average (GPA).
The cadets were selected for their strong academic records, leadership capacity and financial need. Leonard, Harcq and McSweeney are just several of the more than 250 students from CMA and other maritime academies and select institutions in the United States and abroad to receive a Thomas B. Crowley, Sr., Memorial scholarship since 1984. Crowley has also donated more than $2 million over the years to support other educational programs.
Crowley Chairman, President and CEO, Tom Crowley Jr., established the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program, in honor of his father, who guided the company to extraordinary heights before passing away in 1994.
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