2016-3_FINAL

16 MARINER / 2016 - ISSUE 3

Castine Current

Photo by Cristin Wright

M

ost of the MMA community know Dr.

David Gardner as Vice President for

Academic Affairs and Provost, a position

he’s held since 2014.

Few know of his long and meritorious service

in the Coast Guard from which he retired as Cap-

tain at a ceremony held on October 15 at Coast

Guard Base Boston.

Gardner began his military career in 1977

when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman

Recruit. He accrued eight years of enlisted

service, first in the Navy and later in the Coast

Guard, promoting up to Quartermaster First

Class. Gardner then earned a commission and

served 30 years as an officer, finishing as the most

senior Captain in the Coast Guard Reserve.

His assignments were far-ranging. He served as

a navigator aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisen-

hower, the only enlisted man in the Navy at the

time to qualify as a conning officer on an aircraft

carrier. Ultimately, he served as a deck watch

officer on five different ships over the course of

12 years, with duty ranging from the Persian Gulf

during the Iranian hostage incident to migrant

interdiction operations in the Caribbean. Shore

duty assignments included Search and Rescue

Mission Coordinator for the Atlantic Area com-

mand center, Chief of International Operations,

Deputy Chief of the Seventh District Contingen-

cy Preparedness Branch in Miami, Reserve Chief

of Staff for the First District in Boston, and

finally senior Coast Guard officer attached to

the Navy’s Expeditionary Combat Command.

Gardner’s academic and educational back-

ground show another important side of his life

and career. He received his Ph.D. in Develop-

mental, Cell and Molecular Biology from Duke

University, a bachelor’s degree in biology from

Trinity College, coursework from the US Joint

Forces Staff College, US Naval War College,

MIT, Cornell and more. He was an Associate

Professor of Biology and Biochemistry at Ro-

anoke College, and later, Dean of Pre-Medical

Programs for Mount Holyoke College before

throwing his anchor ashore at MMA.

At his retirement ceremony, Gardner

reflected on his career, saying, “If I have

accomplished anything it is because I have

had good role models and been entrusted with

mentoring smart, enthusiastic shipmates who

were assigned with me. I’ve emulated great

leaders and learned from true professionals.

I’ve been privileged by unfailing support from

my employers, my colleagues and most impor-

tantly, my family. There were times it was really

tough on my family to have me away, or to have

me here, but still gone...my mind somewhere

else, on watch. I have made great friends, gone

places and done things of which some people can

only dream. Of all the experiences, being a part

of saving lives at sea has been the highlight.”

At the ceremony, Gardner’s sons, Nathan and

Benjamin, both in military services, read the

poem Th e Wa t c h, ending with: “Today we re-

spectfully gather here to say, ‘Shipmate, the watch

stands relieved. Relieved by those you have led,

guided, and trained. Captain Gardner, you stand

relieved. We have the watch.”

CELEBRATORY FINAL SALUTE

Lauded for his 38 years of service, Gardner retires from Coast Guard

(Left-right) Seaman Benjamin Gardner, USCG, Capt. Gardner, Dr. Bridget Gardner, and Airman First Class Nathan Gardner, USAF

T

he 16th Annual Career Fair was held at MMA on Thursday,

October 20th. The Career Services Office reported 69 com-

panies exhibited and 829 students and alumni attended.

Attendance was up from last year, and the diversity of companies

was also notable: there was something for everyone.

16TH ANNUAL CAREER FAIR